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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Technology
Daniel Hurst

Labor plan to beef up government’s cyber powers faces Senate block

A sorry sign outside Optus
The government wants more power to intervene during hacks on companies such as the one experienced by Optus last year. Photograph: Richard Milnes/Rex/Shutterstock

Labor could face Senate difficulties if it tries to dramatically expand the government’s powers to directly intervene in companies’ IT systems during cyber-attacks.

Under existing laws – which were controversial when introduced by the former Coalition government – the Australian Signals Directorate has the ability to “step in” as a “last resort” in some emergency situations, but only for critical infrastructure assets.

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