Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I appreciate the minister’s explanation, but I would like to ask a couple of questions in view of that explanation. First of all, can the minister tell me whether there are any white-collar corporate fraud crimes that incur a penalty of seven years or more? If so, what would preclude the tax office from using these provisions to access stored communications—emails et cetera—from third parties who may inadvertently contact someone? Secondly, can the minister explain why this provision applies to federal and state members of parliament who, in the course of their duties, may well contact a range of people of all kinds? Does that mean that their communications are subject to government intervention and oversight?