Published Thursday, 28 August, 2008 at 02:06 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
TELEPHONE TAPPING POWERS IN QUEENSLAND
Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Police Judy Spence announced today that Queensland law enforcement agencies would soon have access to telephone tapping powers.
Ms Bligh said powers would be subject to the involvement of the Public Interest Monitor – an independent barrister who represents the public interest.
“We have been fighting for this for the past five years,” Ms Bligh said.
“The Howard Government kept blocking our requests for a public interest monitor and wanted police to have unfettered powers.
“However we would not allow telephone tapping powers without the proper checks and balances.
“There is no doubt phone tapping is a highly effective law-enforcement power.
“However, it is also highly intrusive and needs appropriate safeguards for people’s privacy.
“In Queensland, our Public Interest Monitor appears before judges when law enforcement agencies are applying for surveillance device warrants or covert search warrants.
“The Public Interest Monitor is an independent barrister whose role in these applications is to represent the public interest by testing applications against the statutory criteria, cross-examining witnesses where necessary, and making submissions to the judge.
“The Rudd Government have now agreed that the PIM can be used for telephone tapping powers as well.
“This will ensure that an appropriate balance between law enforcement and privacy is maintained in the application process.”
Ms Spence said detailed costings would now be undertaken with work starting immediately.
“Queensland Government officials will meet their federal counterparts next week to work through the complexities of the relevant State and federal legislation,” she said.
“Once legislation has been amended telephone intercept powers will be able to be used for investigations into a range of serious crimes including homicides, armed hold-ups, bikie gangs and drug crimes.
“With the inclusion of the PIM we will strike the right balance between providing police with the necessary tools to fight crime and protecting people’s rights.”
28 August, 2008
Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Police Minister’s Office: 3239 6218
Ms Bligh said powers would be subject to the involvement of the Public Interest Monitor – an independent barrister who represents the public interest.
“We have been fighting for this for the past five years,” Ms Bligh said.
“The Howard Government kept blocking our requests for a public interest monitor and wanted police to have unfettered powers.
“However we would not allow telephone tapping powers without the proper checks and balances.
“There is no doubt phone tapping is a highly effective law-enforcement power.
“However, it is also highly intrusive and needs appropriate safeguards for people’s privacy.
“In Queensland, our Public Interest Monitor appears before judges when law enforcement agencies are applying for surveillance device warrants or covert search warrants.
“The Public Interest Monitor is an independent barrister whose role in these applications is to represent the public interest by testing applications against the statutory criteria, cross-examining witnesses where necessary, and making submissions to the judge.
“The Rudd Government have now agreed that the PIM can be used for telephone tapping powers as well.
“This will ensure that an appropriate balance between law enforcement and privacy is maintained in the application process.”
Ms Spence said detailed costings would now be undertaken with work starting immediately.
“Queensland Government officials will meet their federal counterparts next week to work through the complexities of the relevant State and federal legislation,” she said.
“Once legislation has been amended telephone intercept powers will be able to be used for investigations into a range of serious crimes including homicides, armed hold-ups, bikie gangs and drug crimes.
“With the inclusion of the PIM we will strike the right balance between providing police with the necessary tools to fight crime and protecting people’s rights.”
28 August, 2008
Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Police Minister’s Office: 3239 6218