SYDNEY (Reuters) -
Australian companies providing critical
services to the economy will be allowed to intercept the emails
and internet communications of their workers under new security
counter-terrorism laws.
The government's current Telecommunications Act, which
expires in June 2009, only allows security agencies to monitor
employees communications without consent.
"I promise we are not interested in the email you send out
about who did what at the Christmas party," Deputy Prime
Minister Julia Gillard said on Monday.
"What this is about is looking at our critical
infrastructure. If our banking system collapsed, if our
electronic system collapsed, obviously that would have huge
implications for society," Gillard told local television.
"We want to make sure they are safe from terrorist attack."
The planned new laws have concerned civil liberties groups.
"They are more likely to be used for eavesdropping and
corporate witchhunts rather than protecting Australia from some
kind of cyber attack," said Dale Clapperton from Electronic
Frontiers Australia, which represents internet users.
(Reporting by Michael Perry; Editing by David Fogarty)
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