Australia introduces stronger law to tackle cybercrime

By eGovInnovation Editors | Jun 24, 2011

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AUSTRALIA -- The Australian government is set to introduce a new law to strengthen cyber security and boost the country's ability to combat international cybercrime, a joint release from the office of the Attorney-General and the Minister of Home Affairs and Justice said.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland said the Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 sets the legislative framework to enable Australia’s accession to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, the only binding international treaty on cybercrime.

To date, over 40 nations have either signed or become a party to the Convention, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and South Africa. Over 100 nations are also using the Convention as the basis to strengthen their legislation to combat the threat of cybercrime.

“As we exchange more information online, Cybercrime is becoming a growing threat to individuals, businesses and governments,” McClelland said. "In the last six months alone, Australia’s Computer Emergency Response Team has alerted Australian business to more than a quarter of a million pieces of stolen information such as passwords and account details, allowing them to rectify and protect against potential attacks. While Australian law substantially complies with the obligations in the Convention, the government believes there is more we can do to ensure Australia is in the best position to tackle cyber threats that confront us, both domestically and internationally."

Meanwhile, Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Brendan O’Connor said the convention covers crimes committed via the Internet and other computer networks, dealing particularly with computer-related fraud, child pornography and violations of network security.
 
“This is an important step to increasing the powers of Australian investigators to effectively combat cybercrime with increased international cooperation. The changes will ensure that Australian legislation is consistent with international best-practice and enable domestic agencies to access and share information to facilitate international investigations,” he said.

The Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 amends the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987, the Criminal Code Act 1995, the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and the Telecommunications Act 1997.