Foreign Intelligence Legislation Amendment 2021

# Foreign Intelligence Legislation Amendment 2021 ## What it does This bill tweaks the rules for how Australian spy agencies (ASIO and others) can intercept foreign communications to gather intelligence. It refines the legal language around when they can tap into phone calls, emails and messages that cross Australia's borders, making it clearer they're collecting intelligence from *foreign* communications specifically—not just any communications. ## Why it matters The changes tighten up the technical rules so there's less legal ambiguity about what foreign intelligence agencies can actually intercept. This is meant to make sure powers are used properly, though the bill itself doesn't expand or restrict those powers—it just clarifies how existing ones work. ## Key details - **Three main areas covered**: The bill amends rules around foreign intelligence warrants, how Australians working for foreign powers are handled, and some other related language in telecommunications laws - **Commencement**: The changes come into effect on a date the government sets (within 6 months of receiving royal assent at the latest) - **What changed**: The language now consistently refers to obtaining intelligence "from foreign communications intercepted under the warrant" rather than broader language about collecting from "foreign communications" generally—a subtle but deliberate clarification

🔒 Voting closed — this bill has been decided by parliament