What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill changes surveillance, interception and crime laws so agencies can use their powers as Parliament intended. It lets warrant information be disclosed in court, moves a regulatory role to Home Affairs, allows stored messages to be used for testing, adjusts international data orders with the US, and clarifies protections for undercover officers. Labor and the Coalition supported it, while the Greens opposed it and tried to delay it and remove the international orders part.
Arguments made in support
The Government said the changes are technical fixes that let agencies keep up with fast-changing technology while keeping strict safeguards.
Government members said allowing network warrant information to be disclosed helps prosecutions and supports a fair trial for accused people.
Coalition and Government speakers said clearer legal protection for undercover officers will help take down online child sexual abuse networks, with reports at about 226 a day.
The Government said the US data order change only fixes how data is delivered and does not let the US get more information about Australians.
Coalition speakers supported the bill but said the Home Affairs change was only needed because Labor had split up that department in 2022.
Arguments made against, or for changes
The Greens said the bill greatly expands surveillance powers without proper safeguards, and that calling it technical was misleading.
The Greens and the Internet Association of Australia said it should wait for a recent watchdog report and a Home Affairs review of surveillance laws.
The Greens said letting agencies test with stored communications means real people's private messages could be accessed with little oversight.
Citing a human rights committee report, the Greens said the US orders change could greatly broaden data shared, including about people not under investigation.
The Greens moved to delay the bill until full consultation occurred, and to remove the US data schedule; both moves were not adopted.
42 speeches by 13 members in the House and Senate over 3 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 27 Aug 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 7 Oct 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 29 Oct 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Includes votes on amendments and procedure.