National Security

SAS survives to fight another day as Peter Dutton reverses recruitment move

September 11, 2021

Peter Dutton has reaffirmed the elite status of Australia’s Special Air Service Regiment, overruling a Defence plan to strip it of its ability to select its own recruits.

Afghanistan and the National Socialist Network | Senator Paterson on Sky

August 17, 2021

Senator James Paterson joins Afternoon Agenda host Kieran Gilbert to discuss the distressing events unfolding in Kabul and the rise of ideologically motivated extremism in Australia.

Police set to get power to take over social media accounts

August 7, 2021

Foreign officials and corrupt business people targeted under changes to Australia's sanctions power

August 6, 2021

Foreign government officials could face sanctions for “gross human rights violations” while corrupt business people could be banned from travelling to Australia and have their assets and bank accounts frozen.

National security laws under review

August 6, 2021

A key parliamentary committee will review whether contentious national security laws are working as intended after prominent former politicians including Tony Abbott were asked to register as potential agents of foreign influence.

Foreign influence scheme reviewed

August 6, 2021

New powers to combat crime on the Dark Web and Magnitsky-style sanctions | Senator Paterson on Sky

August 6, 2021

Australia to join movement to punish human rights abusers with harsher sanctions | ABC NewsRadio

August 6, 2021

New law will give access to accounts

August 5, 2021

Police would have the power to take over a person’s social media account to gather evidence under bold proposed law changes.

Federal agency cyber powers strengthened

August 5, 2021

Federal law enforcement ­agencies will be subjected to fresh oversight in return for new ­powers to wage offensive cyber operations against online criminal networks.

Proposed AFP dark powers get cautious tick

August 5, 2021

Politicians want the authority to oversee proposed new police powers to take over the online accounts of criminals and terrorists, as well as tougher hurdles for warrants and an independent review within three years.

Australia to slap travel, financial bans on human rights abusers

August 5, 2021

The overhaul to Australia’s sanctions regime will allow the government to target perpetrators for “thematic” breaches, greatly enhancing the current system, which has tended to be country-focused.

Payne vows to legislate new sanctions regime for human rights offenders by year-end

August 5, 2021

Australia will be able to ban human rights offenders from entering the country and seize their assets regardless of where they are from after Foreign Minister Marise Payne confirmed the government will legislate a new sanctions regime by the end of the year.

Overhauled laws to target human rights abusers

August 5, 2021

Countries that commit 'egregious' human rights abuses to face financial sanctions, travel bans from Australia

August 5, 2021

Toll's response too slow: spy agency

August 3, 2021

In response to a question on notice from Liberal senator James Paterson, the chair of Parliament’s security and intelligence committee, Toll Group said it was not in a position to know to which company Ms Noble was referring.

Australia exposes and expels foreign spies | Senator Paterson on The Kenny Report

August 2, 2021

Planted viruses threat: ASIO fears sabotage

August 1, 2021

Intelligence experts say a “dormant presence” is lurking in Australia’s critical networks amid a rise in espionage efforts by foreign governments.