Increasing surveillance powers
People who support this policy believe that the federal government should introduce legislation to increase the powers of intelligence and law enforcement agencies to intercept and retain communications related to persons of interest. These agencies include the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
View on They Vote For You →How each party's members voted
Each bar is 100% of a party's current members in the House of Representatives whom They Vote For You places in one of its seven agreement groups for this policy (its own categories, shown as published). Bars show percentages of members, not vote totals; the number beside each bar is how many members that is. Members They Vote For You says haven't cast enough votes on the policy are counted separately, not in the bars.
- Consistently against
- Almost always against
- Generally against
- Mixture
- Generally for
- Almost always for
- Consistently for
Party breakdown as a table (number of members in each group)
| Party | Consistently against | Almost always against | Generally against | Mixture | Generally for | Almost always for | Consistently for | Not enough votes | Members in bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Liberal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| One Nation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
All 5 members, by agreement
| Member | Party | Position | Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith) | Labor | Voted consistently for | 100% |
| David Smith (Bean) | Labor | Voted consistently for | 100% |
| Ben Small (Forrest) | Liberal | Voted consistently for | 100% |
| Anne Urquhart (Braddon) | Labor | Voted consistently for | 99% |
| Barnaby Joyce (New England) | One Nation | Not enough votes to say | 54% |
Votes that make up this policy
The policy position on each vote. Strong votes count more towards a member's agreement score.
- 4 Sept 2025 · SenatePolicy: AyeAustralian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025 - Second Reading - Agree with the bill's main idea
- 22 Nov 2021 · SenatePolicy: Aye (strong)Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2021 - Second Reading - Agree with bill's main idea
- 26 Aug 2021 · SenatePolicy: Aye (strong)Foreign Intelligence Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 - Second Reading - Agree with bill's main idea
- 5 Dec 2019 · SenatePolicy: AyeAustralian Crime Commission Amendment (Special Operations and Special Investigations) Bill 2019 - Second Reading - Agree with bill's main idea
- 5 Dec 2019 · SenatePolicy: AyeAustralian Crime Commission Amendment (Special Operations and Special Investigations) Bill 2019 - Third Reading - Pass the bill
- 1 Aug 2019 · SenatePolicy: AyeAustralian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment (Sunsetting of Special Powers Relating to Terrorism Offences) Bill 2019 - Second Reading - Agree with bill's main idea
- 6 Dec 2018 · SenatePolicy: Aye (strong)Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Bill 2018 - Second Reading - Agree with bill's main idea
- 6 Dec 2018 · SenatePolicy: Aye (strong)Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Bill 2018 - Third Reading - Pass the bill
- 20 Sept 2018 · SenatePolicy: NoMotions - Right to Privacy - Protect
- 8 Nov 2016 · SenatePolicy: Aye (strong)Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2016 - Second Reading - Agree to the bill's main idea
- 16 June 2015 · SenatePolicy: NoMotions — Unlawful Bulk Data Collection — Recognise Edward Snowden's work
- 26 Mar 2015 · SenatePolicy: Aye (strong)Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2015 - Third Reading - Pass the bill
- 29 Oct 2014 · SenatePolicy: AyeCounter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Bill 2014 - Third Reading - Pass the bill
- 28 Oct 2014 · SenatePolicy: AyeCounter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Bill 2014 — Second Reading - Agree with the bill's main idea
- 25 Sept 2014 · SenatePolicy: NoNational Security Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2014 - In Committee - Limit number of devices ASIO can access
- 25 Sept 2014 · SenatePolicy: NoNational Security Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2014 - in Committee - Limit access to computers to extent necessary
- 25 Sept 2014 · SenatePolicy: Aye (strong)National Security Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2014 - Third Reading - Pass the bill
- 27 Feb 2013 · SenatePolicy: NoMotions - National Security Inquiry - Abandon plan to retain data for up to two years
- 22 Aug 2012 · SenatePolicy: No (strong)Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 - In Committee - Agree to amendments introducing limitations on access and disclosure
- 22 Aug 2012 · SenatePolicy: Aye (strong)Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 - Third Reading - Pass the bill
- 2 Mar 2011 · SenatePolicy: NoTelecommunications Interception and Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 — In Committee - ASIO's annual report (access to information)
- 20 Sept 2007 · SenatePolicy: NoTelecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2007 — In Committee — Require judicial warrants
- 30 Mar 2006 · SenatePolicy: NoTelecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 — In Committee — B—party interceptions
- 30 Mar 2006 · SenatePolicy: NoTelecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 — In Committee — Schedule 2 (B—party interceptions)
- 30 Mar 2006 · SenatePolicy: AyeTelecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 — In Committee — Schedule 2 (B—party interceptions)
- 30 Mar 2006 · SenatePolicy: AyeTelecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 — In Committee - Schedule 3 (equipment based interception)
- 28 Mar 2006 · SenatePolicy: NoTelecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 — In Committee - Sunset clause and review