Expanding Asio’s interrogation powers could leading to ‘fishing expeditions’, critics say

Labor’s moves to expand Asio’s compulsory questioning powers could lead to “fishing expeditions” against individuals not charged with any crime and risk permanently damaging human rights, civil liberties groups warn.

The federal government is planning on making the domestic spy agency’s powers for compulsory questioning permanent, while also significantly expanding the offences covered by the rules.

Introduced in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, the compulsory questioning powers would cover sabotage, promotion of communal violence, attacks on the defence system and serious threats to Australia’s border security.

But legislation introduced to parliament by the home affairs minister, Tony Burke , would also end so-called sunset provisions – the effective expiry dates that require p