A fiery and divisive Senate debate on Wednesday night about the central policy questions raised by the leaks of intelligence material by Edward Snowden repeatedly referred to a bipartisan committee report which has already recommended domestic intelligence oversight be strengthened.
Greens senator Scott Ludlam said the revelations by “the brave whistleblower Edward Snowden would appear to show that the government of the United States and its allies, including Australia, have been systematically spying on the whole world”.