Senate debates

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Bills

Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020; Reference to Committee

4:34 pm

Photo of Lidia ThorpeLidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020 gives the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Federal Police and, through them, the Australian Signals Directorate extraordinary powers in respect to online activities; and

(b) refers the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020 to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 27 March 2021.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

The government does not support this motion. The Minister for Home Affairs has already written to the chair of the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and Security referring the legislation to the PJCIS as the appropriate committee in this instance.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

I should say, Senators, that I've now asked attendants, because we're not closing the door, to stand in the doorway upon the bells being stopped, so keep that in mind. There'll be no sneaking in late. The question is that business of the Senate motion No. 2 be agreed to.