Nola Marino (Forrest, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank all colleagues for their contributions to the debate. These urgent reforms will address critical challenges facing Australia's intelligence agencies. As a result, Australia will have greater visibility of foreign threats, such as malicious cyberactivity, terrorist communications and foreign interference. Ensuring the safety and protection of the Australian community is a key priority for this government. The Foreign Intelligence Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 contains two distinct reforms that will modernise foreign intelligence laws. First, the bill updates the foreign communications warrant in the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, the TIA Act, to reflect 20 years of technological change, particularly the widespread use of messaging applications over the internet. Second, the bill amends the TIA Act and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 to allow foreign intelligence warrants to be issued with respect to Australians acting for, or on behalf of, a foreign power. This resolves a gap in existing laws where intelligence can be collected on an Australian acting for a foreign power overseas but not inside Australia.

The bill contains a number of important safeguards, including oversight by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. The bill has been reviewed by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, with a report tabled by the committee on 25 August 2021. The government thanks the committee for its review of these important reforms. The government accepts all of the committee's recommendations. I foreshadow that I will shortly move amendments to implement these recommendations which will enhance the committee's oversight over the foreign intelligence framework.

In conclusion, the bill ensures that our intelligence agencies are adequately equipped to combat foreign threats to Australia and Australians. This bill demonstrates that the government is committed to ensuring intelligence agencies have effective tools to protect Australia, its people and its interests.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

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