The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (the Committee) has today tabled its Advisory Report on the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2024.

Media release issue date: Monday, 12 August 2024

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (the Committee) has today tabled its Advisory Report on the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2024. The Bill amends and clarifies the intended operation of various crime-related laws, including: expressly authorising police, when executing search warrants, to seize digital assets, such as cryptocurrency extending the investigative and freezing powers under existing proceeds of crime laws to apply to digital currency exchanges increasing the value of the Commonwealth ‘penalty unit’ from $313 to $330 creating a position of Communications Security Coordinator in the Department of Home Affairs amending information-sharing provisions to ensure state-based oversight bodies for integrity agencies can access material that has been lawfully intercepted by the agencies they oversee. The Committee recommended that the Bill be passed by the Parliament, subject to one technical amendment to ensure that the Bill’s changes in relation to the Parliamentary Inspector of the Corruption and Crime Commission of Western Australia are fully effective. The Committee also made two recommendations for future reforms, including: that the Government consider whether state-based oversight bodies should be given access to stored communications and telecommunications data held by the integrity agencies within their jurisdictions; and amendments to ensure that Ministerial declarations of new entities authorised to access stored communications or telecommunications data are subject to review. Mr Peter Khalil MP, Chair of the PJCIS, said “The Committee welcomes the measures in this Bill, which will help ensure that key law enforcement and security legislation remains effective, fit-for-purpose and subject to appropriate oversight.” “The Committee looks forward to continuing to be engaged in the review of legislation to reform Australia’s electronic surveillance powers.” The full report and further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP, via Steph Briese 0402 640 192 steph.briese@aph.gov.au   For background information Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on intelligence and Security (02) 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has commenced a review of the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2024.

Media release issue date: Monday, 15 April 2024

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (the Committee) has commenced a review of the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2024. The Bill amends and clarifies the intended operation of provisions in various crime-related statutes, including by: expressly authorising police, when executing search warrants issued under the Crimes Act 1914 or Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, to seize digital assets, such as cryptocurrency, including by accessing a person’s digital wallet and transferring its contents amending the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to extend the investigative and freezing powers that currently apply to financial institutions to also apply in relation to digital currency exchanges increasing the value of the Commonwealth ‘penalty unit’ from $313 to $330 creating a position of Communications Security Coordinator in the Department of Home Affairs, with responsibility for certain telecommunications security functions currently assigned to the Communications Access Coordinator in the Attorney‑General’s Department amending information-sharing provisions in the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to enhance the ability of state-based oversight bodies for integrity agencies to receive interception information and interception warrant information from agencies within their jurisdictions. The Committee invites written submissions to the inquiry by 9 May 2024. Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP, via Lachlan Hinds 0455 999 677 lachlan.t.hinds@aph.gov.au For background information   Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (02) 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.