[LINK] "Security" changes on hold

[Jan Whitaker]

Roxon puts web surveillance plans on ice

Philip Dorling
Published: August 10, 2012 - 3:00AM

A CONTROVERSIAL internet security plan to store the web history of 
all Australians for up to two years has been stalled by the federal 
government until after the next election.

Security bureaucrats have drafted legislation to expand internet 
surveillance and security powers, but Attorney-General Nicola Roxon 
decided to first refer a discussion paper to a parliamentary committee.

Senior intelligence officials, who have been pushing for the 
increased powers, complain the legislation will be delayed until 
after the election due next year.

The national security discussion paper released last month by Ms 
Roxon canvasses proposals for compulsory internet data retention, 
forcing people to give up computer passwords, streamlining 
telecommunications interception approvals, and enhancing stop and 
search powers for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

A senior national security official told The Age yesterday that Ms 
Roxon's decision to refer the proposals to the parliamentary joint 
committee for intelligence and security was symptomatic of ''the risk 
adverse character of the government''.

"These reforms are urgently needed to deal with a rapidly evolving 
security environment, but there isn't much appetite within the 
government for anything that attracts controversy," the official said.

National security community dissatisfaction with Ms Roxon comes as 
Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday announced a long delayed 
review of federal and state counter-terrorism laws introduced after 
the 2005 London terrorist bombings.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said yesterday a committee led by 
retired NSW judge Anthony Whealy, QC, would review legislation 
governing control orders, preventative detention and ''certain 
emergency stop, question and search powers held by police''. The 
review had originally been scheduled to commence in 2010.

Attorney-General's department briefing papers released under freedom 
of information legislation show that when Ms Roxon took office as 
Attorney-General last December, her department had already prepared 
an "exposure draft" of amendments to Australia's security and 
intelligence laws.

Subject to Ms Roxon's agreement and consultation with the security 
watchdog, the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security, it was 
proposed by her department that the draft legislative package be 
considered by the National Committee of Cabinet in February, and the 
full cabinet in May.

However, the department also warned that amendments to surveillance 
powers "usually draw media and public attention" and that "the scale 
of changes being developed will mean that it is highly likely that 
there will be significant public interest".

In a recent interview, Ms Roxon said she was "not yet convinced" 
about the merits of the proposal for compulsory data retention that 
would enable intelligence and security agencies to examine a person's 
internet usage.

A spokesman for Ms Roxon has confirmed she rejected the approach of 
her predecessor, former attorney-general Robert McClelland, who had 
approved the development of the legislative package.

This story was found at: 
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/roxon-puts-web-surveillance-plans-on-ice-20120809-23x9l.html 




Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
blog: http://janwhitaker.com/jansblog/
business: http://www.janwhitaker.com

Our truest response to the irrationality of the world is to paint or 
sing or write, for only in such response do we find truth.
~Madeline L'Engle, writer

_ __________________ _