This week the Albanese Labor government’s legislation program continued to focus on health, aged care, and the environment, but there’s still a few items of interest to us.
First, though, I’ve updated my list of Australian cyber-related legislation before parliament, plus current inquiries to record the Cyber leftovers at the end of the Morrison government. So, so many items labelled LAPSED. That doesn’t seem to have been the most productive government ever.
Moving on, here’s what I noticed this week.
- The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties is looking at 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, the treaty text being designed to work with the US CLOUD Act. No timeline has been set.
- The inquiry into Law enforcement capabilities in relation to child exploitation was re-established by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement. No timetable has been published as far as I can see.
- Finally, one I’d missed last week, the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Repeal of Cashless Debit Card and Other Measures) Bill 2022. It has been referred to the Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs, which is due to report by 31 August. Submissions close this Wednesday 10 August.
What happens next?
My intention is to write a post like this each week, at least until I line up a new news outlet or two where I can be paid to do it. As you probably know, ZDNet Australia is no more. Please let me know if I’ve missed anything, or if there’s any specific items you’d like me to follow.