The Telecommunications Interception Legislation Amendment Bill 2001 allows police to monitor all forms of electronic communication when investigating cases related to child pornography, arson and police corruption, Attorney-General Daryl Williams said in a statement.
NSW Council for Civil Liberties president Cameron Murphy complained that Australian police already had too much power to invade the privacy of innocent people.
Before yesterday, police were allowed to intercept telephone calls of suspects under magistrate-approved warrant.
Broad, sweeping powers related to all forms of data transfer would promote -lazy policing, at best" and corruption, Murphy said.
Already, more than 90 percent of interception warrants police sought from magistrates were granted, he said.
He said, according to yesterday's amendment, police could access all data stored on suspects' PCs - such as financial and personal data, and Internet usage patterns - regardless of guilt.
Individuals who received unsolicited email, or who logged onto suspect Web sites, would become targets for all-encompassing electronic surveillance, he said.
Murphy also explained that previous interception legislation had seen some undercover police pushed into destroying evidence to sidestep accusations of collusion with criminals.
The NSWCCL called for more accountability for communications surveillance - such as forcing police to seek warrant approval from judges rather than magistrates - Murphy said.
-There's very little public accountability. It's very dangerous," he said.
-There's no need for police to have additional powers."
The Police Minister and Attorney-General's offices could not be reached for comment.
History has prooven time after time that if someting can be misused for personal enrichment, it will be.
This legisaltion has added one more opportunity for abuse.
There is no doubt in my mind that the guardians in charge will not pass up such an opportunity.