The Government cannot ignore the will of "the 98.9 per cent" on data retention, the Greens warned today - referring to the thousands of people who have urged the National Security Inquiry to abandon the proposed scheme to force telecommunications companies to store the communications data of all Australians for a period of two years.

Australian Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam will table a petition in the Senate tomorrow circulated by Pirate Party Australia and comprising 1447 signatures raising serious concerns about proposed changes to national security laws.

The signatories have presented objections to the proposals under discussion by the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and Security Inquiry into potential reforms of National Security Legislation (#natsecinquiry).

NOTICE OF MOTION

Senator Ludlam

I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move that the Senate:

Notes that

1. Less than half of one per cent of Australian organisations and individuals making submissions to the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and Security Inquiry into potential reforms of National Security Legislation support the proposal for tailored data retention periods for up to 2 years;

(Question No. 2387)

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 19 October 2012:

(Question No. 2383)

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 18 October 2012:

(Question No. 2379)

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 10 October 2012:

The Australian Greens communications spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, warned the Federal Government to avoid jeopardising civil liberties and human rights in the pursuit of security in the wake of the Prime Minister's national security announcements today.

"It's a positive that the Prime Minister recognises that a secure international environment is built on trust, and reaffirmed the nation's commitment to multilateralism, but some of her statements and much of the Government's ‘security' agenda causes concern.

Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications
Answers to Senate Estimates Questions on Notice
Supplementary Budget Estimates Hearings October 2012
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Portfolio
Australian Broadcasting Corporation