Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I have been following this debate with some interest. It is something that I believe is vital for the national security and the security of all of my fellow Australians. With all of these sorts of issues, there is always some apparent curtailment of liberties and freedoms we have enjoyed in the past. I have had a careful look through the work that Senator Brandis has done and what the government has proposed, and, whilst in different circumstances we might take a different view to this, I certainly am one of those in Australia—and I think there are a lot like me—who are very keen to see these measures implemented, even if it does, in some small way, impinge upon freedoms that I had previously enjoyed.

Quite frankly, I do not care who listens in to my phone. I would only feel sorry for them; they would die of boredom by listening! Certainly, I never have anything to hide. It does not, but if perchance this bill did give someone the right to listen to my phone calls because perhaps I was a threat to the community then so be it. But I have nothing to hide, so I do not care if they do.

It is important that we move on with the amendments that have been put. If there are other amendments to come, to address some of the issues that Senator Ludlam and Senator Xenophon have raised, then let us debate them, let us put them and let us get on, because it does seem to me essential that we do actually move on the bill.

I have not actually had a look at my standing orders. Senator Xenophon may be able to help me here. But, that being the case, I would seek leave to move the amendments listed in the name of the Australian Greens to schedule 2, items 12 and 25.

Leave granted.

I move Australian Greens amendments (1) and (2):

(1) Schedule 2, item 12, page 28 (after line 17), after subsection 25(6), insert:

  (6A) Subsection (5) authorises the use of a device to obtain access to data only if the total number of:

  (a) devices used to obtain access to data; and

  (b) devices from which data has been obtained;

(other than devices owned by the Commonwealth and brought on to premises specified in the warrant for the purpose of executing the warrant) in accordance with the warrant is no more than 20.

(2) Schedule 2, item 25, page 30 (after line 23), after subsection 25A(5), insert:

  (5AA) Subsection (4) authorises the use of a device to obtain access to data only if the total number of:

  (a) devices used to obtain access to data; and

  (b) devices from which data has been obtained;

(other than devices owned by the Commonwealth and brought on to premises specified in the warrant for the purpose of executing the warrant) in accordance with the warrant is no more than 20.

I do not think they are very clever amendments, and, having moved them, I would suggest to the Senate that they are ones that the Senate would give very great scrutiny to. I am not particularly in favour of it myself, but I leave it to those who think it is a good idea to actually propose the reason that these amendments should be adopted. At the present time I am not convinced that they should be adopted. But I will listen to the debate and listen to the minister's response.