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questions of what my Department was doing to improve the  situation. I refer Senator Douglas McClelland to that

report. In view of his interest in this subject I will  endeavour to ascertain the exact date of it so that he will  be able to read it. I think that probably is the main reason

for the under-expenditure, but I will have the matter  checked further and ascertain whether there are any other  factors of which I am not aware or which I have overlooked.

* * * * *

SENATE No. 20  6 November 1979  Page 1864

FEDERAL NARCOTICS BUREAU: USE

OF LISTENING DEVICES

SENATOR WRIEDT - My question is addressed to the

Attorney-General.  Prior to the passing of the Customs AmendÂ­ ment Bill this year did the Attorney-General receive from  officers 'of the Federal Narcotics Bureau requests for  permission to use listening devices in premises?

SENATOR DURACK - The amendments to the Customs Act to expand

the powers of narcotics officers to use listening devices  and the complementary amendments to the Telecommunications  (Interception) Act were based upon the argument from narÂ­ cotics officers and others that these powers were needed. I  presume that Senator Wriedt is asking me whether I received

a specific request to authorise the use of listening  devices. The answer to that is no. There was no power in me  under any Federal law to authorise the use of listening  devices. The matter of the entitlement that narcotics

officers had to the use of listening devices arose under

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some State laws.  The applications that may have been made in

relation to those matters are something which is not within  my area of responsibility. I will have to refer that aspect

of the question to the Minister for Business and Consumer  Affairs to ascertain from him whether there were any  considerations of applications in respect of State laws.

SENATOR WRIEDT - I ask a brief supplementary question. Is  the Minister aware whether any of his predecessors received  such a request and whether they granted permission for use  of those listening devices? If he is not able to give that

information now, which would be understandable, perhaps he  could give us a written answer in due course.

SENATOR DURACK - I will take note of that supplementary  question.

*  *  *  *  *

Ã¢ÂÂ¢M

Page 1866

HYDROGN BOMB

SENATOR MESSNER - Is the Attorney-General aware of an

article published recently in the newspaper '  The National  Student1  produced by the Australian Union of Students  outlining the production process of the hydrogen bomb,  which

raised considerable controversy in the United States when it  was first published? Is it a fact that the publication of  this sensitive information is contemplated by section 44 of  the Atomic Energy Act or sections of the Crimes Act? Will

the Attorney-General investigate the matter with a view to  ensuring that the national interest is protected?

