ASIO is pushing for the new laws which are being sold to the public as necessary to guard against terror. Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Attorney General George Brandis and ASIO director general David Irvine have been keen to link the laws to the threat of Australian jihadis fighting overseas.

Article: Changes to Australian Security Laws Will Make Illegally Obtained Evidence Permisable in Court

Source: VICE, 19/8/2014

New digital surveillance powers for Australia's top security agency have been described as 'too expansive' by leading civil liberties advocates.

Article: Privacy advocates criticise far-reaching ASIO surveillance powers

Source: CNET, 18/8/2014

NSWCCL President Stephen Blanks and Australian Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson debate online privacy and 'the right to be forgotten' with Sky News' David Lipson.

Watch now: AGENDA The importance of online privacy. The content we linked to is no longer available

Source: Sky News 'Agenda', 9/8/14

The Australian Government's latest package of enhanced security and counter-terrorist powers includes a disturbing proposal to reverse the onus of proof on Australians returning from regions of conflict, such that they would be required to prove that they have not been fighting in wars overseas.

This presumption of guilt contravenes the fundamental principles of criminal justice, NSWCCL's Stephen Blanks speaks to ABC News and highlights that security agencies already have "extraordinary powers" for detaining and interrogating citizens, the proposed changes are unnecessary and a step too far.

Video: ABC News 1/8/2014 (Story begins at 11:15) (link no longer available)

Source: ABC News 1/8/2014

NSWCCL President Stephen Blanks speaks to FBi Radio about Opal card privacy concerns , increased ASIO powers and the disturbing proposal to criminalise media reporting of intelligence operations.

Listen: Stephen Blanks: 'The surveillance state is one more step towards being complete'. The content we linked to is no longer available

Source: FBi Radio 'Backchat', 19/7/2014

George Brandis's new spying laws will include measure to criminalise media reporting of Snowden-style leaks

Article: Journalists will face jail over spy leaks under new security laws

Source: The Guardian, 16/7/2014

The federal government will seek to introduce legislation giving Australian intelligence agencies new powers and to create a new offence for when intelligence officers take material without appropriate authorisation.

Article: Australian intelligence agencies to be given new powers

Source: The Guardian, 15/7/2014

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has defended police being given powers to access Opal card records as a crucial tool to ensure the "safety and security of the community".

Article: Police Commissioner defends access to Opal card records

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, 15/7/2014

Australia's spy agency could get its hands on the home address and travel history of NSW commuters using the state's Opal card, a civil liberty group warns.

Article: NSW Opal card raises privacy concerns

Source: News.com.au, 15/7/2014

The New South Wales public transport operator needs to change its privacy policy to stop travellers' personal details being given to police too freely, civil libertarians have warned.

Article: Opal card privacy rules need tightening to protect personal details: civil libertarians

Source: ABC News, 15/7/2014