Attorney-General Robert McClelland wants to extend the sunset clause in the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (the TIA Act) by another 18 months.
Call me stupid, but isn't a sunset clause often included by Parliament when there is some concern about the need for or ramifications of certain legislation.
In this case it was probably the ability to monitor the phone or trawl the stored communications of anyone having even passing contact with a telephone number, internet connection or person named in a relevant warrant.
According to its blurb, the new bill covers changes which will amend the TIA Act to "extend sunset provisions which relate to activities that can be lawfully undertaken by network administrators of specific public sector agencies to protect their corporate networks and maintain the professional standards of employees."
However, this is not the only change contained in McClelland's bill. It seems the Attorney-General feels that provisions concerning warrants and telecommunication devices are too onerous and wants these provisions relaxed a bit.
Thus making it easier for everyone from ASIO through to AFP to snoop past June this year.
There was a change of government on 24 November wasn't there - or did I just dream it?
Oh, I forgot, Robert McClelland and Labor supported this act and subsequent amendments during its passage through Parliament.
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