Published Tuesday, 03 April, 2007 at 03:44 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
BEATTIE GOVERNMENT DRAFTING TELEPHONE INTERCEPT POWERS
The Beattie Government is drafting its own model Telephone Interception legislation, as the Federal Government continues to refuse to allow for the involvement of the Public Interest Monitor (PIM).
Premier Peter Beattie, together with Minister for Police and Corrective Services Judy Spence and Attorney-General Kerry Shine, today announced the government is preparing a bill, to provide a role for the PIM in Queensland-related applications for TI warrants.
“Police in this state should have access to phone tapping, but first we must safeguard people’s privacy,” Mr Beattie said.
“We have repeatedly asked the Howard Government to amend the current federal Telecommunications (Interceptions) Act, to allow the Public Interest Monitor to provide this safeguard, but the Federal Attorney-General has refused to make the change.”
“It is ridiculous that the federal government is blocking our application to provide improved levels of accountability for such an intrusive method of investigation.”
Ms Spence said the ability of police to crack down on high-level and organised crime, such as the activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs, was being hampered by the Federal Government’s stalling.
“We want to give police the same powers as their interstate counterparts, but not without appropriate accountability,” Ms Spence said.
“The PIM is already used for listening devices and surveillance warrants, so it only follows that for phone tapping, the PIM has a role to play too.
“It is incomprehensible that the federal government would not be in favour of ensuring stronger accountability.”
Mr Shine said the Queensland Government would put forward their Telecommunications Interception Bill 2007 later this year, for endorsement by the Federal Government.
“Queensland legislation will require that law enforcement agencies must consult with the PIM about public interest considerations before applying for a TI warrant,” Mr Shine said.
“All the Federal Government will have to do is give our bill the tick of approval, so police can finally have the ability to do their job, without personal privacy being compromised.”
3 April, 2007
Further inquiries: (07) 3224500
Premier Peter Beattie, together with Minister for Police and Corrective Services Judy Spence and Attorney-General Kerry Shine, today announced the government is preparing a bill, to provide a role for the PIM in Queensland-related applications for TI warrants.
“Police in this state should have access to phone tapping, but first we must safeguard people’s privacy,” Mr Beattie said.
“We have repeatedly asked the Howard Government to amend the current federal Telecommunications (Interceptions) Act, to allow the Public Interest Monitor to provide this safeguard, but the Federal Attorney-General has refused to make the change.”
“It is ridiculous that the federal government is blocking our application to provide improved levels of accountability for such an intrusive method of investigation.”
Ms Spence said the ability of police to crack down on high-level and organised crime, such as the activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs, was being hampered by the Federal Government’s stalling.
“We want to give police the same powers as their interstate counterparts, but not without appropriate accountability,” Ms Spence said.
“The PIM is already used for listening devices and surveillance warrants, so it only follows that for phone tapping, the PIM has a role to play too.
“It is incomprehensible that the federal government would not be in favour of ensuring stronger accountability.”
Mr Shine said the Queensland Government would put forward their Telecommunications Interception Bill 2007 later this year, for endorsement by the Federal Government.
“Queensland legislation will require that law enforcement agencies must consult with the PIM about public interest considerations before applying for a TI warrant,” Mr Shine said.
“All the Federal Government will have to do is give our bill the tick of approval, so police can finally have the ability to do their job, without personal privacy being compromised.”
3 April, 2007
Further inquiries: (07) 3224500