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.