Dutton defends encrypted access
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says having access to encrypted messages is already helping.
“We now know 100 per cent of people involved in organised crime, paedophile rings and terrorism activity are all using encrypted apps and phones so it makes it incredibly difficult for ASIO authorities and law enforcement authorities to have an eye on what bad people are doing,” he told reporters this week.
“[However, these new laws] have played a role, and a very positive role, in a number of investigations.”
The government is now looking to pass another national security bill, which would prevent foreign fighters from returning to Australia for up to two years.
“There are a number of ways in which we can manage people including a disruption that we saw yesterday, but we need to be realistic about the threat,” Mr Dutton said.
“We still have many people who are fighting overseas. Some of them have been killed, others will seek to return back to Australia. We will need to be very mindful of the threat though pose.
“The temporary exclusion order will be an important bill. It will be introduced this week. We hope we can get the support of the parliament soon to see it passed into law.”