National security
Analysis
Analysis
Breakdown on national security a damning indictment of both sides
The Morrison government has politicised encryption, all but daring Labor to look weak on national security. Labor has wriggled and tacked so many times it has been hard to keep track of where they stand.
- by David Wroe
Latest
Bill Shorten
PM escapes threat to his control of Parliament as Labor backs down on encryption
A dire threat to Scott Morrison's control of Parliament sparked a blame game that forced Labor to back down on national security laws.
- by David Crowe
Analysis
Analysis
Day of high farce ends on a low note
Paedophiles and terrorists: federal poliicians would like to wish you a happy new (election) year.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Exclusive
Scott Morrison
ASIO would vet Federal MPs as new allegations about Labor MPs aired
Public servants and political staff require security vetting but not the ministers they serve. Senator Rex Patrick says this needs to change.
- by Richard Baker
Telecommunications
Police, spies gain powers to access encrypted messages after political deal struck
Labor is set to support far-reaching laws despite saying they are "far from perfect" and may need to be revised.
- by David Wroe
Exclusive
National security
Quaedvlieg says subordinates ignored his orders after recruit suicide
The former Australian Border Force chief says the suicide of a young female officer helped galvanise him to suspend the psychometric testing of new recruits.
- by Nicole Hasham
Scott Morrison
Morrison pressures Shorten to pass encryption laws
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has challenged Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to accept the case for swift changes to encryption laws.
- by David Crowe
Christian Porter
'Obviously dangerous': Labor doubles down on encryption bill with press freedom warning
The rare fight over national security legislation means the government will look to the crossbench to pass the laws this week.
- by Michael Koziol
Privacy
Negotiations over encryption legislation break down
Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said the government had politicised national security and destroyed bipartisanship with its demands.
- by Fergus Hunter
Privacy
Last-minute hitch on national security bill raised by Senate president
Scott Ryan said the Assistance and Access Bill might interfere with parliamentary privilege, an important legal protection for MPs.
- by Fergus Hunter
Marise Payne
Australia's overseas spies to have expanded ability to use weapons and violence
The Morrison government says ASIS officers need the expanded powers to protect themselves and others in a dangerous world.
- by Fergus Hunter