...and jail Journalists for up to 10 years for reporting stories which are linked to a special intelligence operation.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/19/asio-torture-warning-fears-new-powers-will-allow-suspects-to-be-harmed
Quote:
Section 35K of the bill, entitled ?Immunity from liability for special intelligence conduct during special intelligence operations?, exempts operatives from civil or criminal prosecution in the course of their work.
This exemption from the law would only apply, the bill states, if ?the conduct does not involve the participant engaging in any conduct that causes the death of, or serious injury to, any person; or involves the commission of a sexual offence against any person; or causes significant loss of, or serious damage to, property?.
Quote:
There are also fears about the legislation?s implications for the freedom of the press to report anti-terrorism activities. The bill stipulates a prison term of 10 years where ?disclosure of the information will endanger the health or safety of any person or prejudice the effective conduct of a special intelligence operation?.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-15/bureaucrats-attempt-to-calm-fears-over-media-spy-laws/5674526Quote:
The proposed legislation suggests the new power is in part a response to the damaging leaks by former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden.
Quote:
Responding to questioning by Labor Senator Penny Wong, the department's senior legal officer Christina Raymond said journalists could face penalties even if they did not explicitly know what they were reporting on was linked to a special intelligence operation.
"You don't have to have actual knowledge but you do have to have an awareness of a risk [that the material was linked to a special intelligence operation], so more than just a fleeting possibility, something quite substantial," she said.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUXUhNPvTao[/youtube]
Last edited by Stannis on 19 Sep 2014, 10:44 pm, edited 2 times in total.