Tag: PJCIS

New govt urged to ‘repair’ encryption powers

There are newfound hopes that Labor’s election victory will see Australia’s controversial encryption-busting powers “repaired” after nearly four years. The Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (TOLA) (Assistance and Access...

Universities told to ‘harden’ against foreign interference threat

28 March 2022 | by Joseph Brookes

Australian universities need to do more to combat foreign interference, the Parliament’s bi-partisan national security committee warned Friday, recommending tighter guidelines for universities’ research, campus activities, appointments and funding....

Last round of critical infrastructure reforms to pass before election

28 March 2022 | by Denham Sadler

The final round of significant critical infrastructure reforms is set to be passed into law after the powerful national security committee gave it the green light subject to minor...

National security committee calls for more oversight powers

9 February 2022 | by Denham Sadler

The national security committee has urged the government to hand it improved oversight powers over intelligence agencies and to increase funding to other oversight agencies. The Parliamentary Joint Committee...

Wait continues for facial recognition database legislation

2 February 2022 | by Denham Sadler

Amendments to the federal government’s highly controversial facial recognition database legislation were referred to the powerful national security committee nearly two years ago but an inquiry has yet to be...

Govt backtracks on plan to extend encryption powers to corruption watchdogs

10 January 2022 | by Denham Sadler

The federal government has backed away from its plan to extend encryption-busting powers to anti-corruption watchdogs around the country, despite previously pledging to do so and introducing legislation to...

Karen Andrews rejects calls from industry over cyber changes

15 October 2021 | by James Riley

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has likened proposed changes to the Critical Infrastructure Bill to the fire codes and building regulations that are in place to protect people and...

Gig Guide: Scandal forces shake-up of federal security committee

15 October 2021 | by Joseph Brookes

A branch staking scandal in Victoria has forced a shake-up of the powerful federal security committee, with Labor putting forward a new member and deputy chair who will need...

Global tech groups seek changes to Critical Infrastructure Bill

14 October 2021 | by James Riley

A group of international technology associations, including the Australian Information Industry Association, have written to Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews with concerns about government fast-tracking parts of the Critical...

Powers allowing government control of critical infrastructure approved

29 September 2021 | by Denham Sadler

The federal government will urgently get new powers to intervene as a “last resort” if a critical infrastructure company is subject to a cyber-attack, after the powerful national security...