Public hearing to discuss security reforms to telecommunications sector

PARLIAMENT’s Intelligence and Security Committee will hold two public hearings on Thursday for its review of the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016.

The Bill amends the Telecommunications Act 1997 to introduce a regulatory framework to manage national security risks of espionage, sabotage and foreign interference to Australia’s telecommunications networks and facilities. These networks and facilities form the backbone to other critical infrastructure sectors in Australia, such as energy, banking and finance, and are vital to the delivery and support of services such as power, water and health.

The regulatory framework established by the Bill is intended to formalise and strengthen existing industry-Government engagement and encourage early engagement with Government agencies on managing national security risks.

Public hearings will be held as follows:

Thursday 16 February 2017

Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra
9.00am to 10.00am: Attorney-General’s Department

Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra
4.30pm to 6.00pm: Roundtable hearing with Communications Alliance, Optus, Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, Australian Industry Group and the Australian Information Industry Association

The hearings will be broadcast live at: http://www.aph.gov.au/live

Further information about the inquiry, including submissions, can be accessed via the Committee’s website at http://www.aph.gov.au/pjcis

ENDS