Debate on the bill for two year mandatory data retention has started, in the same week as the scheme was struck down by courts in the Netherlands, on grounds that it infringed on human rights to privacy.

I would still call on the ALP to make sure that the debate does not proceed past the second reading stage in the House of Representatives, for the single reason that the Parliament still does not have the amendments that the Government has proposed.

Scott speaks to the media at Parliament House about the need for the Government to delay debate on their mandatory data retention legislation, amid growing concern about the regime, including from media and legal organisations.

The proposed merger of two of Australia's last remaining independent Internet Service Providers will have a sharply negative impact on the level of competition in Australia's broadband market and must be opposed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

"I will be reminding the ACCC of its obligation to directly prohibit acquisitions which would be likely to have the effect of "substantially lessening competition in any market," Australian Greens Communications spokesman Senator Scott Ludlam said this morning.