Telephone and email tapping powers extended

Federal Parliament has passed amendments to the Telecommunications (Interception) Act which gives new powers to police and intelligence agencies to tap the phones of those who come in contact with terrorism suspects. The legislation passed despite the reservations of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee which said that the safeguards against abuse were far too vague and inadequate. The Attorney General said that the Committee's changes would be considered at a later time but it was urgent that the new powers be approved because all phone interception powers were about to expire.