Australian Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam has submitted a motion for a vote in the Senate on Wednesday August 15, asking the Government to reveal whether the US private surveillance system 'TrapWire' is being used in Australia.

"TrapWire is operating in parts of the UK, Canada and the USA. Its features are reputed to include the ability to centralise and aggregate data from public surveillance cameras and share information across networks," said Senator Ludlam. "Is it being used in Australia?"

Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam has thanked the many people who campaigned strongly for improved resourcing for SBS.

"In a tight budget in which many portfolios faced serious cuts, the fortunes of SBS have swum against the tide. No doubt, we could always have hoped for more, and indeed the finances of the station will remain tight for years to come. But the additional commitment of $158 million is the most significant funding boost the SBS has ever had.

Australian Greens spokesperson for communications Senator Scott Ludlam today warned against further extending the loosely defined and already over-reaching online surveillance powers of Australia's intelligence agencies.

Australian Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said "the ACCC should have delayed its decision on the impacts of the proposed acquisition of AUSTAR by FOXTEL in light of the allegations of commercial piracy levelled against News Corp subsidiary NDS".

"The competition impacts of the takeover were troubling enough, and were made infinitely more troubling by the piracy allegations."