The Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs has today tabled its inquiry into Australia's electronic surveillance laws, chaired by Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam.

The report was tabled as the Senate has begun debating mandatory data retention legislation, which will entrench some of the more serious flaws in Australia's surveillance regime.

"It is evident to many people what has gone wrong with our regime of state surveillance, but it is much harder to identify how to restore integrity to our system," Senator Ludlam said.

The Australian Greens have announced a broad suite of amendments to the data retention regime being legislated by Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten.

"Our amendments address major privacy and security protections that are being stripped away by the Abbott/Shorten surveillance unity ticket," Senator Scott Ludlam, Greens communications spokesperson said.

"Authorities should need a warrant to access bulk metadata and that entire process should have proper, independent oversight. That's what the Greens will move in the Senate today.

Senator Scott Ludlam, Australian Greens housing spokesperson, said:

"This announcement provides some reprieve to the funding uncertainty that has been hanging over the heads of homelessness organisations, but it doesn't negate the harm that has been caused by Tony Abbott.

The Senate has supported Scott's motion, calling on the Abbott Government reallocate the $500 million previously allocated to the Perth Light Rail and the Airport Rail Link projects.

Motion Text:

Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (11:31): I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 663 standing in my name for today. It relates to Perth light rail-getting that project back on track.

Leave granted.

Senator LUDLAM: I move the motion as amended:

The Australian Greens have slammed the rushed passage of the government's mass surveillance regime through the House of Representatives thanks to a back-room deal between Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten.

"Bill Shorten has thrown the beleaguered Prime Minister a surveillance lifeline that could cost in excess of $400 million in the first year alone," Senator Scott Ludlam, Greens communication spokesperson said today.