New laws could give ASIO a warrant for the entire internet, jail journalists and whistleblowers

By Ben Grubb
Updated September 24 2014 - 2:08pm, first published 11:24am
Christopher Warren, federal secretary of the journalist union, the MEAA, does not support the new laws. Photo: Ben Rushton
Christopher Warren, federal secretary of the journalist union, the MEAA, does not support the new laws. Photo: Ben Rushton
Professor George Williams of UNSW says the laws are too broad. Photo: Jim Rice
Professor George Williams of UNSW says the laws are too broad. Photo: Jim Rice
Duncan Lewis, the new ASIO chief, was introduced by Senator Brandis on Monday when the minister announced he would explicitly rule out "torture" under new national security legislation. Photo: Andrew Meares
Duncan Lewis, the new ASIO chief, was introduced by Senator Brandis on Monday when the minister announced he would explicitly rule out "torture" under new national security legislation. Photo: Andrew Meares
Tourist attraction: An armed AFP officer maintains guard outside Parliament House in Canberra as debate over new national security legislation began in the Senate.  Photo: Andrew Meares
Tourist attraction: An armed AFP officer maintains guard outside Parliament House in Canberra as debate over new national security legislation began in the Senate. Photo: Andrew Meares
Former ASIO chief David Irvine and Attorney-General George Brandis unveiled the laws in July. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Former ASIO chief David Irvine and Attorney-General George Brandis unveiled the laws in July. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam says he and his party will not support the bill. Photo: Andrew Meares
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam says he and his party will not support the bill. Photo: Andrew Meares
Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus didn't initially support some of the new laws. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus didn't initially support some of the new laws. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Spy agency ASIO will be given the power to monitor the entire Australian internet and journalists' ability to write about national security will be curtailed when new legislation – expected to pass in the Senate as early as Wednesday – becomes law, academics, media organisations, lawyers, the Greens party and rights groups fear.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Griffith news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.