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The Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose SK Lee, told his Australian counterparts today (August 9) that the newly enacted Interception of Communications and Surveillance Ordinance had struck a fine balance between protecting the privacy rights of individuals and the rights of the community to law and order.
Continuing his visit in Canberra, Mr Lee met the Australian Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Amanda Vanstone, and the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Christopher Ellison.
Mr Lee said that in formulating the regime under the ordinance, Hong Kong had referred to other comparable common law jurisdictions, including Australia.
"Hong Kong's newly enacted law compares favourably with similar laws in other common law jurisdictions as far as protecting people's freedom and privacy is concerned," he said.
Hong Kong's law also provides stringent safeguards for privacy for all stages of the operation, including the appointment of an independent Commissioner on Interception of Communications and Surveillance to oversee law enforcement departments' compliance with the ordinance, the code of practice and terms and conditions of the authorisations.
Mr Lee also exchanged views with Senator Vanstone on immigration issues including the increasing number of asylum seekers in Hong Kong.
At his meeting with Senator Ellison, Mr Lee noted the close cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of both places in combating transnational crimes such as terrorism, drug trafficking, human smuggling and money laundering.
Mr Lee will continue his visit in Canberra before flying to Sydney tomorrow evening (August 10).
Ends/Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:54
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