The government has admitted that it is using both the Australian Federal Police and a private intelligence consultancy to monitor coal seam gas (CSG) protesters, .
Speaking in federal parliament on Tuesday 7 February ALP Senator , representing the Attorney-General, 鈥渕ade it clear that the federal police were undertaking surveillance of coal seam gas protesters,鈥 Queensland Greens state spokesperson Libby Connors.
鈥淪o law abiding citizens from farmers and frustrated landholders to mothers living on the Tara estate who have participated in legitimate protest may now have a federal police file.鈥
Greens Senator Christine Milne explained in : "Minister Ludwig confirmed 鈥 in response to my question, that some surveillance of protesters is being outsourced to a private agency 鈥 the National Open Source Intelligence Centre (NOSIC).鈥
Established in 2001, is a private company that provides state and federal agencies with services including monitoring of 鈥渃urrent and emerging issues relating to global activism and related crime,鈥 according to the company website.
An investigation published last month by Philip Dorling for looking at ongoing (and increasing) government sanctioned surveillance of environmental activists revealed NOSIC has been 鈥渆ngaged on contract by the AFP and the Attorney-General鈥檚 Department since at least 2003.鈥
The NOSIC website says it provides intelligence on 鈥渢he identity, capability and intentions of organisations or individuals that engage in radical activism鈥︹ as well as criminal or unlawful behaviour, and the potential 鈥渋mpact on public order, business continuity or community values鈥. The organisation says 鈥渘o information is collected unlawfully or obtained at its source by clandestine or covert means鈥.
Milne raised concerns about the costs involved in ongoing surveillance of people engaged in protest against the mining industry. 鈥淲hat an extraordinary use of taxpayers鈥 money to spy on legitimate protesters in order to protect the commercial interests of polluting companies,鈥 she said.
鈥淔armers in Queensland trying to protect their land from coal seam gas mining, and parents concerned about their children鈥檚 health, will be understandably outraged that they may be under surveillance by the Australian Federal Police.鈥
Drew Hutton, President of Lock the Gate Alliance, which represents more than 100 community groups concerned about the CSG industry, that surveillance was a method of 鈥渋ntimidation鈥 used against protesters by the government.
Hutton condemned the government for 鈥溾pying on ordinary farmers and rural Australians pursuing legitimate, non-violent protest.鈥
Given the sight of police officers with their video cameras trained on activists at almost every recent protest (and the rising improper ) the news of government monitoring, while concerning, will come as no surprise to many activists and their allies.
[Republished from .]
