National

Action to keep law enforcement in line: MP

By AAP Newswire

Sep 19, 2022

Labor MP Peter Khalil in the House of Representatives — Labor MP Peter Khalil says there should be repercussions for agencies that act outside the law. -AAP Image

Police and anti-corruption bodies must meet their obligations when it comes to legally accessing data and telecommunication records, a senior MP says.

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Labor MP Peter Khalil, who chairs the powerful parliamentary intelligence and security committee, has called for action to be taken against bodies that act outside of the law after the Commonwealth Ombudsman found a string of problems within enforcement agencies.

"There should be repercussions if agencies or law enforcement agencies are acting outside of their scope under the law," Mr Khalil told the ABC on Monday.

"That is something that the government is putting a priority towards."

The ombudsman made two recommendations and 22 suggestions to the Australian Federal Police.

Recommendations and suggestions were also made for state police forces, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission.

Mr Khalil said issues around compliance were very concerning.

"Those guidelines for accessing and handling data are really important," he said.

"Relevant ministers in our government are looking very closely at this, are very concerned about this, (and are) looking at what actions need to be taken."

Mr Khalil is due to host discussions about the ombudsman's report in Canberra this week.