Treaties Committee to inquire into Australia-US Cloud Act Agreement

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing on Wednesday September 14, 2022 into the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America on Access to Electronic Data for the Purpose of Countering Serious Crime (Australia-US Cloud Act Agreement).

The Australia-US Cloud Act Agreement would allow Australian authorities to seek an Order under Australian law to obtain the electronic data of a Covered Person where it relates to a serious offence, directly from communication service providers that operate under the jurisdiction of the US, and vice versa.

Committee Chair, Josh Wilson MP said, "The Committee looks forward to hearing from representatives from the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as it progresses its inquiry into the Australia-US Cloud Act Agreement.

"The Australia-US Cloud Act Agreement would enliven the International Production Order regime of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (TIA Act) and the Committee will be interested in exploring the interface between the agreement and the TIA Act."

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday 14 September 2022
Time: 11.55am (approx) – 1.45 pm AEST

The program for this hearing is also available online.

Further information on the inquiry can be found on the Committee website.

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