A new Bill would require telecommunications service providers to store so-called ‘metadata’ for two years. Source: Supplied
A HIGH-powered federal government team has been doing the rounds of media organisations in the past few days in an attempt to allay concerns about the impact of new surveillance legislation on press freedom. It failed.
The roadshow featured the Prime Minister’s national security adviser, Andrew Shearer, Justin Bassi, who advises Attorney-General George Brandis on crime and security matters, and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin. Staffers from the office of Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull also took part.
They held meetings with executives from News Corporation and Fairfax, representatives of the TV networks, the ABC top brass and a group from the media union and the Walkley journalism foundation. I was involved as a member of the Walkley board.
The initiative, from Tony Abbott’s office, is evidence that the Government has been alarmed by the strength of criticism from media of the Data Retention Bill it wants passed before Parliament rises in a fortnight. Bosses, journalists, even the Press Council, are up in arms, not only over this measure, but also over aspects of two earlier pieces of national security legislation that interfere with the ability of the media to hold government to account.
Fraser’s lasting legacy
MALCOLM Fraser — an effective prime minister controversially installed, soundly elected and re-elected, a relentless contributor, thinker and reformer, a blue-blooded egalitarian.
Doctor knows best, not Starbeam Fantapants
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Good for some, but I’m not buying it
THE good thing about Ikea is that it’s cheap and good quality. The bad thing is the whole, exhausting business of shopping at their stores.
Ex-PM a man of contrasts
IT was said that Malcolm Fraser moved to the Left after losing office but the former PM didn’t change - he was always a “small l” liberal.
Let’s make local issues a priority
IT’S nice to think Australia is a player on the world stage but, really, we’re not. So forget global posturing and let’s sort out our own backyard.