A senior Labor frontbencher has broken ranks saying new anti-terror laws that allow journalists to be jailed for reporting on intelligence operations have overstepped the mark.
Parliament beefed up the domestic spy agency ASIO's powers, earlier this month.
Journalists will face 10-years jail if they reveal details of intelligence operations.
Anthony Albanese has now hit out at the lack of scrutiny over the measures describing the penalties on the media as draconian.
There was public interest in exposing errors of security agencies, he said.
"You can be fully supportive of our engagement in the Middle East and still say we don't protect freedom by giving it up," Mr Albanese told Sky News.
"I'm concerned about the rights of journalists."
Mr Albanese concerns may be too little too late.
Labor waved the bill through parliament, citing bipartisan support for national security and backbencher Melissa Parke was the lone voice of dissent.
Asked if Opposition Leader Bill Shorten shared his concerns about press freedom, Mr Albanese said: "I'm speaking for myself."
"Sometimes things might have gone too far. If that is the case they should be wound back," Mr Albanese said.
The second tranche of anti-terror laws cracking down on Australians who go overseas to fight alongside extremists, will be debated in parliament in mid October.
"We should be arguing for more scrutiny of these issues," Mr Albanese said.
Security agencies are trying to impose things that have been in their bottom draw for a long time, Mr Albanese said.
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