new email laws

Email spy plan about national security: Gillard

Posted 1 hour 11 minutes ago
Updated 44 minutes ago


Spy laws: Employers would be able to look at employees' emails under proposed new laws (ABC News: Giulio Saggin)

Employers would be able to read their staff's emails under proposed new national security laws being considered by the Federal Government.

The new laws would give companies extra powers to monitor their computer networks to prevent cyber-attacks.

They would be allowed to check their staff's emails and internet communications without their consent.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard has told Channel Nine the proposed changes would step up national security of Australia's computer networks.

"We want to make sure that they are safe from terrorist attack," she said.

"Part of doing that is making sure we've got the right powers to ensure that we can tell if there's something unusual going on in the system.

"So it's a national security move, not a move about an unseemly interest in people's private emails."

A spokesman for the Attorney-General says cyber-threats are growing and those privacy experts and unions will be consulted about the proposed laws.