CANBERRA – 4 DECEMBER 2019 – BSA | The Software Alliance welcomes ongoing efforts in Australia to improve the assistance and access framework in Part 15 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Assistance and Access Framework).

BSA continues to acknowledge and support the need for law enforcement to have appropriate tools in the fight against online criminal and terrorist activity, and reiterates the importance of balancing this against the legitimate rights and needs of its citizens, providers of critical infrastructure and third-party stewards of data.

BSA welcomes the ongoing legislative reviews of the Assistance and Access Framework by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor. We also commend efforts in the Australian Parliament to improve the Assistance and Access Framework, including recently proposed amendments to implement key recommendations of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, and introduce greater transparency and accountability in the issuance of assistance and access instruments under the Framework.

“BSA is encouraged by the ongoing legislative reviews of the Assistance and Access Framework in Australia, and efforts in the Australian Parliament to improve the Framework. We look forward to engaging the Australian Parliament further on the Framework and seeking an improved outcome for citizens, law enforcement and the technology community,” said Jared Ragland, Senior Director, Policy – APAC, BSA | The Software Alliance.