Labor, coalition strike deal on encryption

Labor and the coalition have done a deal to pass legislation giving authorities new powers to access encrypted messages before the end of the year.

Bill Shorten (c) shakes hands with PM Scott Morrison — Bill Shorten(C) is disappointed the PM (R) accused Labor of political games on border security laws. (AAP)

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Published 6 December 2018 7:08pm

Source: AAP

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New powers allowing police and intelligence agencies to snoop on encrypted messages will clear parliament after Labor struck a deal with the coalition to revisit the controversial laws in the new year.

The laws were at risk of not passing before parliament rose for the year on Thursday - despite the government saying they were urgent - because of time-wasting on another bill in the Senate.

But the deal will ensure the bill is passed on Thursday, with the government agreeing to Labor's condition that it be reassessed next year.

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