- Victorian counter-terrorism law changes introduced by Andrews Government
- 21/10/2015 Make a Comment (1)
- Contributed by: Digger_G ( 1 article in 2015 )
New legislation to strengthen Victoria Police's counter-terrorism laws and covert search powers will be put before State Parliament today.
The Terrorism Community Protection Amendment Bill features six changes including allowing police to apply for a Preventative Detention Order using a person's alias, and issuing covert search warrants to be able to use remote entry to computers.
The bill will also extend the time the laws are applicable by five years to 2021, and removes the sunset provision on the existing laws, which was due to expire next year.
The changes were recommended in a review of the laws carried out by former County Court judge David Jones AM last year.
Attorney-General Martin Pakula said the changes allowed police to do their job more effectively.
"It's important that these laws are as up to date and effective as they can be," Mr Pakula said.
"When this legislation was first brought in there was no concept of remote access to computers.
"Sometimes the actual birth name is not what is know to police, so they'll be able to go by using the name that police are aware of.
"The have been examples in the past were police have been unable to make effective applications for Preventative Detention Orders because they've been unaware of the suspect's real name or they have known the suspect by a different name because that's what the suspect goes by.
"The fact with regard to Preventative Detention Orders is that they're not needed very often but when they are needed, they are really needed.
"It's important they're effective as they can possibly be."
Mr Pakula said the Supreme Court still needed to grant covert search warrants, but the changes meant police would no longer need to enter a premises to search a computer once they were granted.
"It enables police to access a computer without being physically present, it's safe for police, it's less intrusive and it may negate the need for a physical search if nothing of concern is revealed."
The Terrorism Community Protection Amendment Bill features six changes including allowing police to apply for a Preventative Detention Order using a person's alias, and issuing covert search warrants to be able to use remote entry to computers.
The bill will also extend the time the laws are applicable by five years to 2021, and removes the sunset provision on the existing laws, which was due to expire next year.
The changes were recommended in a review of the laws carried out by former County Court judge David Jones AM last year.
Attorney-General Martin Pakula said the changes allowed police to do their job more effectively.
"It's important that these laws are as up to date and effective as they can be," Mr Pakula said.
"When this legislation was first brought in there was no concept of remote access to computers.
"Sometimes the actual birth name is not what is know to police, so they'll be able to go by using the name that police are aware of.
"The have been examples in the past were police have been unable to make effective applications for Preventative Detention Orders because they've been unaware of the suspect's real name or they have known the suspect by a different name because that's what the suspect goes by.
"The fact with regard to Preventative Detention Orders is that they're not needed very often but when they are needed, they are really needed.
"It's important they're effective as they can possibly be."
Mr Pakula said the Supreme Court still needed to grant covert search warrants, but the changes meant police would no longer need to enter a premises to search a computer once they were granted.
"It enables police to access a computer without being physically present, it's safe for police, it's less intrusive and it may negate the need for a physical search if nothing of concern is revealed."
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-20/victorian-counter-terrorism-laws-strenghthened-under-changes/6867948
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