We are therefore calling on the government to immediately introduce a universal warrant requirement for access to retained telecommunications data ('metadata').

Australia's mandatory data retention regime is one of the most intrusive and lengthy in the world. Recent revelations that the Australian Federal Police have illegally accessed the data of journalists, possibly more than once, demonstrates the need for additional protections for Australians in relation to this scheme.

Australia's mandatory data retention regime is one of the most intrusive and lengthy in the world. Recent revelations that the Australian Federal Police have illegally accessed the data of journalists, possibly more than once, demonstrates the need for additional protections for Australians in relation to this scheme.

We are therefore calling on the government to immediately introduce a universal warrant requirement for access to retained telecommunications data ('metadata').

At present, warrants are only required for access to journalists' data.

Requiring a warrant for all access to retained telecommunications data ('metadata') will provide much-needed independent oversight that ensure data is only used for investigating the most serious crimes.

We are also calling on the government to: