Data retention plan could cost almost $400 million a year, Tony Abbott says

‘Prime Minister Tony Abbott has revealed the cost of the Government’s data retention plan could be almost $400 million a year, and has warned if it is not passed it would be a form of “unilateral disarmament” in the fight against crime.

The Government wants to force phone and internet companies to store data about calls and connections for two years to help authorities monitor suspected criminals and fight terrorism.

The legislation was introduced to Parliament last October and referred to Parliament’s Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, which is due to table its report next week.’

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