Kerry Nettle (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I will explain it. I understand what the government is proposing in terms of passing over information around financial transactions of Australians or Australian businesses. The question is about when that information is handed over to foreign intelligence agencies; it is about how they use it. I am not making a claim about how Australians may use that information; I am talking about when it is handed over. As we know, there are a whole range of different types of foreign intelligence agencies of varying degrees which Australia would support or raise questions about, so it is about that. I suppose it is in a number of defence arrangements with other countries—for example, we might put in provisions to say we are going to export this equipment but it will not be used in the abuse of human rights. The government has sought to do that in a range of circumstances, and this question is about whether there is anything in place to ensure that could occur with the information that is handed over. I am not questioning the Australian authorities; I am talking about when a foreign intelligence agency has been provided with information from Australia. Are there any guidelines in place about how that information is used? Maybe the answer is no. I am just asking and trying to understand because we have that capacity in other arenas—such as with defence. Can we do it in this arena?