The amendments to the Telecommunications Act would force telcos to hand over sensitive information about network changes and procurement plans, supposedly to mitigate national security risks and bolster the fight against terrorism.
The amendments have been hotly opposed by the telecoms industry.
The original plan was to introduce a bill bringing the new regime into being by the end of 2015. But the AG’s Department now says the bill will be introduced “early next year”. It maintains that the new powers are necessary to protect Australia from nations and hackers looking to undermine national security.
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