5 Nov 2013

Telco interception bill passes final hurdle

9:02 pm on 5 November 2013

Legislation that would force telecommunication companies to ensure the Government's spy agency can intercept their customers' communications has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.

The Telecommunications Interception Capability and Security Bill obliges telcos to ensure that they have the ability to intercept communications.

It passed by 61 to 59 votes on Tuesday with the support of National, ACT and United Future.

Communications Minister Amy Adams told Parliament the bill does not change the authority of agencies to intercept communications.

"And it does not change existing privacy protections. This bill only relates to real time interception. It does not require data to be stored, nor stored data to be disclosed."