On 4 September 2020, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (the Committee) commenced a statutory review of the operation of Part 14 of the Telecommunications Act 1997. The review will look at Part 14 of the Act, to the extent that it was amended by the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017—Telecommunications Sector Security Reforms.

The reforms commenced on 18 September 2018 and establish a regulatory framework to manage the national security risks of espionage, sabotage and foreign interference to Australia’s telecommunications networks and facilities. Key elements of the reforms are set out on the Department of Home Affairs’ webpage.

In recommending this review as part of the original 2016 Bill inquiry, the Committee recommended that this review focus on the operation, effectiveness and implications of the reforms introduced by the Bill. The scope of the review should include:

• the security of critical and sensitive data,
• the adequacy of information-sharing arrangements between government and industry, and
• the adequacy and effectiveness of the administrative guidelines in providing clarity to industry on how it can demonstrate compliance with the requirements set out in the Bill.

Submitters may wish to direct contributions towards these areas of focus.

The Committee requests submissions to the inquiry by Friday 27 November 2020.

Making a submission
Prospective submitters are advised that any submission to the inquiry must be prepared solely for the inquiry and should not be published prior to being accepted by the Committee. Further information about making a submission to a committee inquiry can be found at www.aph.gov.au/makesubmission.