Australia's domestic spy agency will soon have the power to crack people-smuggling syndicates using bases overseas as the government beefs up its border protection laws.
Beset by a steady flow of asylum-seeker boats, the government last night announced plans to extend ASIO's mandate beyond the prevention of espionage and terrorism.
The Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, the Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, and the Home Affairs Minister, Brendan O'Connor, outlined changes that would allow ASIO to investigate foreign intelligence that it was previously stopped from pursuing.
Australians who fund people-smuggling ventures, and those who seek to exploit asylum seekers and endanger lives, will face fines of up to $220,000 or 20 years' jail under the plan.
David McKnight, associate professor of journalism at the University of NSW who has written extensively about ASIO, said the changes underlined a shift in ASIO's responsibilities.
''This is quite a significant change. It highlights a trend that's pushing ASIO into the investigation of crimes rather than national security. The tendency is for ASIO to operate more like a police force.''
The government will also expand ASIO's ability to tap phones and intercept communications by allowing it to target non-state actors, such as criminal groups.
-SMH
HAZARA NEWS WESTERN AUSTRALIA
www.hazarawa.blogspot.com
Email
hazaranewswa@yahoo.com
Hazara News WA provides the latest news and updates of when it happens.
No comments:
Post a Comment