Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2023, allowing it to be considered during this period of settings.

I also table a statement of reasons justifying the need for this bill to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have the statement incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The statement read as follows—

STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE IN THE 2023 SPRING SITTINGS

TELECOMMUNICATIONS (INTERCEPTION AND ACCESS) LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Purpose of the Bill

The bill amends sections 65 and 137 of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (and any related provisions) to ensure approvals to communicate, use and record information collected under section 11A, 11B and 11C warrants ('foreign intelligence information') can support necessary information sharing practices that are critical to the protection of Australia's national security.

Reasons for Urgency

The communication, use and recording of foreign intelligence information is critical to the protection of Australia's national security. Urgent legislative amendments are required to ensure that future approvals for the sharing of such information continue to support this objective. Urgent passage of the bill is critical to support this policy and legislative objective.