[Greens-Media] No blank cheque for police and spies' phone-taps: Brown

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Thursday, 17 April 2008

No blank cheque for police and spies' phone-taps: Brown

The Rudd government should amend its bill which would allow spy agencies
such as ASIO and police the ability to intercept, without a warrant,
phone calls and emails going to or from persons not suspected of
involvement in criminal or terrorist activities, Australian Greens
leader Bob Brown said today.

The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2008
allows agencies to obtain warrants to intercept any device, such as a
phone or computer, deemed 'likely' to be used by someone they are
tracking; and then subsequently add additional phones or computers
without needing to obtain additional warrants.

This could include devices used by family, friends or even computers at
public libraries or internet cafes. 

"ASIO should have to justify to the judge issuing the warrant its
intention to eavesdrop on each and every targeted device," Senator Brown
said.

"Spy agencies have an important job, but should not get a blank cheque
to go fishing in the phones and computer messages of Australians who are
not under suspicion," Senator Brown said.

The Senate inquiry into the Bill continues in Sydney today at the
Bayview Boulevard Hotel, 90 William Street, Sydney

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603



------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185	

Visit Bob's new myspace site at:
www.myspace.com/bobbrowngreens