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Australia Strengthens Cyber Security Laws |
| Source: |
futuregov.asia |
| Source Date: |
Thursday, June 23, 2011 |
| Focus: |
Electronic and Mobile Government, Citizen Engagement, Internet Governance
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| Country: |
Australia |
| Created: |
Jun 28, 2011 |
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The Australian Government recently introduced legislation to strengthen cyber security laws and enhance the nation’s ability to combat international cybercrime- Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011.
The Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 sets the legislative framework to enable Australia’s accession to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, the only binding international treaty on cybercrime.
The Convention provides systems to facilitate international co-operation between signatory countries, as well as establishing procedures to make investigations on cybercrimes more efficient.
“This Bill will facilitate Australia’s accession to the Convention and improve our ability to cooperate internationally,” Attorney-General Robert McClelland said in an official statement.
“While Australian law substantially complies with the obligations in the Convention, the Government believes there is more we can do to ensure Australia is in the best position to tackle cyber threats that confront us, both domestically and internationally. Australia must have appropriate arrangements domestically and internationally to be in the best possible position to fight cybercrime and cyber security threats,” McClelland added.
The Government’s Bill makes three key changes: • Preservation – enabling agencies to request the preservation of communications by a carrier that they intend to seek a warrant over; • International Cooperation – providing Australian agencies with greater access to information stored overseas in the investigation of cybercrime and crimes committed using the internet; and • Cybercrime Offences – extending the scope of existing Commonwealth computer offences to fully meet the requirements for such offences under the Convention.
According to the Minister of Home Affairs and Justice, Brendan O’Connor, the changes will ensure that Australian legislation is consistent with international best-practice and enable domestic agencies to access and share information to facilitate international investigations.
The Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 amends the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987, the Criminal Code Act 1995, the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and the Telecommunications Act 1997.
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Australia Strengthens Cyber Security Laws The Australian Government recently introduced legislation to strengthen cyber security laws and enhance the nation’s ability to combat international cybercrime- Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011
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