Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026

Senator GREEN (Queensland—Assistant Minister for Tourism, Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Assistant Minister for Northern Australia) (10:46): I might answer that question by also making some comments about the amendment that you've proposed in relation to the sunset. That might be a convenient way to do that. The government is opposing your amendment in relation to the sunsetting date.

As you say, the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, in his review of the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Act 2021, found that the powers that we are referring to must not be allowed to sunset. That's very, very clear. The extension of the sunsetting date to 4 September 2029, in the government's view—you asked for the rationale.

The rationale is that it ensures these critical powers remain in place until comprehensive reform to modernise the electronic surveillance framework is completed and has been considered by parliament and also commences. The government intends to further consider the framework for the powers and the recommendations of the INSLM's review as part of these comprehensive reforms.