2017-04-28
The misuse of the metadata retention scheme perfectly illustrates the numerous flaws in the Labor/Liberal mass-surveillance laws, the Australian Greens said today.
“A scheme that was forced on to the public as a counter-terror tool was instead used in exactly the way we've long feared - in pursuit of a journalist and their source,” said Australian Greens Co-Deputy Leader and Senator for WA Scott Ludlam today.
"Why are the AFP misusing this power to spy on the fourth estate? Why won't they name the journalist or at least inform them they've been illegally accessing their phone records?
"This is the real battle for free speech and accountability in Australia. The Greens and crossbench opposed these laws when they were forced on us by the Coalition and it's Labor allies. Now it is time this surveillance regime was overturned.
"A full and independent investigation must be given all the necessary access to swiftly address this breach, and parliament must act to ensure that such violations can never happen again.
"This kind of information is too dangerous to be so easily accessed, so susceptible to "human error" as the AFP commissioner stated.
"Get a Warrant," Senator Ludlam said.
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