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| Mr HENDERSON (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time. The purpose of this bill is to amend the Telecommunications (Interception) Northern Territory Act with the intention of updating names and numbers, repealing obsolete provisions, and streamlining processes in line with the Commonwealth Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act. The act commenced in 2006 as a condition of the Northern Territory Police being declared an interception agency. It establishes the record keeping, reporting and oversight regime required in relation to warrants and certificates obtained under the Commonwealth act. This bill will make minor amendments to the act in order to correct references to sections in the Commonwealth act which no longer exist, and to correct anomalies. Sections 6(a) and 6(b) will be removed from the act to simplify the requirement that copies of warrants or instruments revoking warrants must be provided to the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services by the Commissioner of Police. This is not going to create any concerns or complications in the process as the Commonwealth act does not require duplicate production to both the Commonwealth and local minister. It will also remove the need for reproducing the records to the minister. Furthermore, copies of warrants and revocations will continue to be retained by the commissioner under section 4, whilst written reports about information obtained under warrants will be provided to the minister under sections 6(c) and 6(d). The Ombudsman will retain the powers of inspecting those other records. This independent inspection and accountability will ensure the act is being complied with and copies are retained. If there are any issues in relation to the warrants or revocations, the minister will be notified through the reporting mechanisms under the act. Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members, and table a copy of the explanatory statement. Debate adjourned. |