We are seeking your feedback on guidelines to improve the transparency of government agencies' use of section 313(3) to request internet service provider's assistance to disrupt access to online services.

How it works

Why we want your input
We want your feedback on the draft guidelines so that they achieve the right balance between improved transparency in the use of section 313(3) and government agencies' operational needs.
How you can voice your opinion
You can have your say by providing a written submission by 27 May 2016.
What will be the outcome of this consultation?
Your submissions will inform the development of the final guidelines for government agencies.

Consultation Information

Consultation tabs

The Issue
Consultation Period: 
April 27, 2016 09:00 AEST to May 27, 2016 17:00 AEST

The Government has released draft whole of government guidelines for the use of section 313(3) of the Telecommunications Act 1997 for comment.

Section 313(3) provides government agencies with the ability to seek assistance from telecommunications providers to disrupt access to illegal online services through the blocking of websites.

The draft guidelines have been prepared in response to the June 2015 report Balancing Freedom and Protection, Inquiry into the use of subsection 313(3) of the Telecommunications Act 1997 by government agencies to disrupt the operation of illegal online services. This report was prepared by the former House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications.

The Committee recommended the Government adopt whole-of-government guidelines for the use of section 313(3) by agencies to disrupt access to online services. The Committee also recommended that government agencies using the section have the required level of technical expertise to carry out such activity or have access to the expertise.

The Government has responded to the Committee, supporting the recommendations.

Relevant Documentation

Australian Government draft guidelines for the use of section 313(3) of the Telecommunications Act 1997 by government agencies for the lawful disruption of access to online services

Published 21st Apr 2016

Download PDF (899.96 KB) Download DOC (1.11 MB)
These whole-of-government guidelines have been released in response to the June 2015 report, Balancing Freedom and Protection, Inquiry into the use of subsection 313(3) of the Telecommunications Act 1997 by government agencies to disrupt the operation of illegal online services by the former House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications.

Participate

Started April 27, 2016 09:00 AEST
Ends May 27, 2016 17:00 AEST
Days Remaining 0 of 30
Submissions now public

Formal Submission

We invite you to to tell us your views on this topic.

Please include:

  • the name of the person making the submission
  • the organisation represented, if applicable
  • contact details, including telephone number, postal and email addresses
  • confirmation whether or not your submission can be made public—published—or kept confidential.

If your submission is to be made public, please ensure you do not include any personal information that you don't want to be published.

All submissions to be made public need to meet the Digital Service Standard for accessibility. Any submission that does not meet this standard may be modified before being made public.

Please use the 'Have your say now' button below to upload your submission.