Prime Minister claims laws of mathematics 'do not apply' in Australia
Malcolm Turnbull makes 'Orwellian' comments when challenged on problem of encryption
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said the laws of mathematics come second to the law of the land in a row over privacy and encryption.
Under new legislation proposed by the Australian Government, messaging apps like WhatsApp and Apple’s iMessage would be forced to hand over the contents of encrypted messages.
When challenged by a technology journalist over whether it was possible to tackle the problem of criminals using encryption – given that platform providers claim they are currently unable to break into the messages even if required to do so by law – the Prime Minister raised eyebrows as he made his reply.
“Well the laws of Australia prevail in Australia, I can assure you of that. The laws of mathematics are very commendable, but the only law that applies in Australia is the law of Australia," he said.
“I’m not a cryptographer, but what we are seeking to do is to secure their assistance. They have to face up to their responsibility. They can’t just wash their hands of it and say it’s got nothing to do with them.”
Some took to Twitter to express their disquiet with Mr Turnbull’s apparent dismissal of the laws of mathematics, with some accusing him of being “Orwellian”.
But Mr Turnbull stressed during the press conference that he was asking for the companies to work with the Government to change their current systems.
“I am not going to get into hypotheticals. The important thing is to recognise the challenge and call on the companies for assistance.
“I am sure they know morally they should. Morally they should.
“They have to face up to their responsibility. They can’t just wash their hands of it and say it’s got nothing to do with us.”
Critics of WhatsApp – owned by Facebook – and other encrypted platforms says they provide the perfect hiding place for criminals because only the sender and the recipient can see the contents of the messages.
But George Brandis, the Australian Attorney General, said the UK security agency GCHQ has assured him it was possible to unlock encrypted systems.
Facebook has argued that weakening encryption for the purposes of law enforcement effectively means weakening the system for everyone, and would risk making the messages available to hackers and others with malevolent intent.
In a statement, Facebook said: “We appreciate the important work law enforcement does, and we understand the need to carry out investigations. That’s why we already have a protocol in place to respond to any requests we can.
“At the same time, weakening encrypted systems for them would mean weakening it for everyone.”
World news in pictures
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World news in pictures
1/50 15 August 2019
Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako bow during a memorial service ceremony marking the 74th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two, in Tokyo, Japan
REUTERS
2/50 14 August 2019
A woman walks with a Kashmir's flag to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir, during a ceremony to celebrate Pakistan's 72nd Independence Day at the Mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi, Pakistan
REUTERS
3/50 13 August 2019
The extraordinary moment a volcano erupted, shooting luminous hot lava from the surface, as a lightning bolt striked the centre of the mountain. Photographer Martin Reitze, 55, captured rare images of volcanic ash escaping from the Ebeko volcano in Russia whilst the lightning froze the ash cloud in time. Martin, from Munich, was standing around a kilometre away from the northern crater of the volcano when it erupted. The volcano expert said: "The strong lightning which shows in the image is a very rare exception, as it was much stronger than usual."
Martin Reitze/SWNS
4/50 12 August 2019
People swim in a public bath pool in Zalakaros, Hungary. Some regions of the country have been issued the highest grade of warning by the National Meteorological Service as the temperatures may reach 33-38 centigrade.
EPA
5/50 11 August 2019
A pro-democracy protester is held by police outside Tsim Sha Tsui Police station during a demonstration against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong
AFP/Getty
6/50 10 August 2019
Muslim pilgrims make their way down on a rocky hill known as Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia
AP
7/50 9 August 2019
Waves hit a sea wall in front of buildings in Taizhou, China's eastern Zhejiang province. China issued a red alert for incoming Super Typhoon Lekima which is expected to batter eastern Zhejiang province early on August 10 with high winds and torrential rainfall.
AFP/Getty
8/50 8 August 2019
A herder struggles with his flock across a motorway at the city cattle market, ahead of the Eid al-Adha in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Eid al-Adha is the holiest of the two Muslims holidays celebrated each year, it marks the yearly Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj) to visit Mecca, the holiest place in Islam. Muslims slaughter a sacrificial animal and split the meat into three parts, one for the family, one for friends and relatives, and one for the poor and needy.
EPA
9/50 7 August 2019
Kazakh servicemen perform during a ceremony opening the International Army Games at the 40th military base Otar in Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan.
Reuters
10/50 6 August 2019
Paleontologist Naturalis Anne Schulp takes part in the construction of the skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus Rex called Trix in Naturalis in Leiden, The Netherlands. After a month-long tour of Europe, Trix is home in time for the opening of the new museum.
AFP/Getty
11/50 5 August 2019
Flowers paying tribute to the eight-year-old boy who died after he was pushed under a train at Frankfurt am Main's station. The horrific crime happened last week and has led politicians to call for heightened security.
AFP/Getty
12/50 4 August 2019
Mourners take part in a vigil near the border fence between Mexico and the US after a mass shooting at a Walmart store in El Paso killed 20 people. The suspected gunman behind shooting is believed to be a 21-year-old white man called Patrick Crusius.
Reuters
13/50 3 August 2019
Pramac Racing's rider Jack Miller in action during a practice session at the Motorcycling Grand Prix of the Czech Republic. The race will take place on 4 August
EPA
14/50 2 August 2019
An extremely rare Pink Meanie jellyfish on display at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town. The Pink Meanie was discovered during a nightlight jellyfish dive by the collections team in the waters around Robben Island and in Cape Town Harbour. Pink Meanies are jellyvorous, meaning they feed on other jelly species by reeling them in with their long tentacles. Discovering the Pink Meanie in its early ephyra stage meant the team could study its growth rate which turned out to be very quick as it grew to the metaephyra stage in about a week and a half. The Mexican pink meanie (Drymonema larsoni) was only discovered in the year 2000. A Mediterranean relative, known as the Big Pink Jellyfish (Drymonema dalmatinum) has been known to science since the 1800s but when spotted in 2014 it had been almost 70 years since the last sighting. These jellies are incredibly rare and this new South African species is no exception
EPA
15/50 1 August 2019
Palestinian men breathe fire on the beach as entertainment for children during the summer vacation in Gaza City
AFP/Getty
16/50 31 July 2019
A woman rows a boat through the lotus plants on the waters of Dal Lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. The lake is a popular tourist destination because of its floating gardens and lotus flowers
EPA
17/50 30 July 2019
An effigy of demon Ghantakarna is burnt to symbolize the destruction of evil and belief to drive evil spirits and ghost, during the Ghantakarna festival at the ancient city of Bhaktapur, Nepal
Reuters
18/50 29 July 2019
Hundreds of hot air balloons take part in the Great Line at the Mondial Air Ballons festival, in an attempt to break the 2017 record of 456 balloons aligning in an hour during the biggest meeting in the world, in Chambley, France
Reuters
19/50 28 July 2019
Anti-extradition bill protesters with umbrellas attend a rally against the police brutality in Hong Kong
EPA
20/50 27 July 2019
A general view of stalls closed following yesterday's volcanic eruption at the tourism area of Mount Tangkuban Parahu in the north of Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia.
Reuters
21/50 26 July 2019
Protesters rally against a controversial extradition bill in the arrivals hall at the international airport in Hong Kong
AFP/Getty
22/50 25 July 2019
The pack rides in a valley during the eighteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Embrun and Valloire
AFP/Getty
23/50 24 July 2019
Former special counsel Robert Mueller is sworn in to testify before a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the investigation into Russian Interference of the 2016 Presidential Election
Reuters
24/50 23 July 2019
People cool down at the fountains of Trocadero during a heatwave in Paris
EPA
25/50 22 July 2019
Activists burn an effigy of President Rodrigo Duterte, depicted as a sea monster, during a protest near congress. This is to coincide with his state of the nation address in Manila
AFP/Getty
26/50 21 July 2019
Protesters run from tear gas, fired by police, after a march against a controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong. The masked protesters covered the walls of China's office in Hong Kong with eggs and graffiti following another massive rally
AFP/Getty
27/50 20 July 2019
Fans line the streets of Algiers to see the national Algerian football team take part in an open-top bus parade following their victory in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. They were celebrating their second Cup of Nations win, 29 years after their first triumph in 1990
AFP/Getty
28/50 19 July 2019
The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission is celebrated in a 17-minute show, "Apollo 50: Go for the Moon" which combined full-motion projection-mapping artwork on the Washington Monument and archival footage to recreate the launch of Apollo 11
Nasa/AP
29/50 18 July 2019
A pupil from Northlen Primary school sticks a poster of former president Nelson Mandela on a chalkboard, as they mark his birthday in Durban. July 18, marks 101 years since the birth of Mandela in 1918
AFP/Getty
30/50 17 July 2019
Firefighters rush to the scene to put out a fire that spread to parked cars in Jerusalem, following an extreme heat wave
AFP/Getty Images
31/50 16 July 2019
Rescuers work at the site of collapsed building in Dongri area of Mumbai, India
EPA
32/50 15 July 2019
A motorist drives past a destroyed house after a large earthquake that hit Surigao City, in the southern island of Mindanao, Philippines
AFP/Getty Images
33/50 14 July 2019
French Gendarmes remove fences next to a burning portable toilet during clashes with protesters on the Champs Elysees avenue after the traditional Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France
Reuters
34/50 13 July 2019
A recortador jumps over a bull during a contest in a bullring at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain
Reuters
35/50 12 July 2019
Japan's Megumu Yoshida and Yukiko Inui compete in the duet technical artistic swimming event during the 2019 World Championships at Yeomju Gymnasium in Gwangju
AFP/Getty
36/50 11 July 2019
Hot air balloons fly over the city of Igualada during an early flight as part of the European Balloon Festival in Igualada, Spain. The European Balloon Festival has become the most important hot air balloon event in Spain and one of the biggest in Europe
Getty
37/50 10 July 2019
USA's players take part in their champions parade through New York after winning the Women's World Cup at the weekend in France
Reuters
38/50 9 July 2019
The pack rides during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Nancy, France
AP
39/50 8 July 2019
Temple Priest Siva Sri Arumugam Paskarakurukkal and Hindu devotees celebrate the Makorcavam temple festival at Germany's largest Hindu temple in Hamm, Germany
EPA
40/50 7 July 2019
Megan Rapinoe lifts the Women's World Cup following USA's victory over The Netherlands at Stade de Lyon in the final held in France
Getty
41/50 6 July 2019
Manneken Pis is dressed in the overall leader's yellow jersey, before the start of the Tour de France Stage 1
Reuters
42/50 5 July 2019
Sudanese protesters celebrate in the streets of Khartoum after ruling generals and protest leaders announced they have reached an agreement on the disputed issue of a new governing body
AFP/Getty Images
43/50 4 July 2019
Demonstrators burn a national flag in front of the White House during a Fourth of July protest
Reuters
44/50 3 July 2019
Smoke billows and flames propagate across the hillside near houses after the Stromboli volcano erupted in the north of Sicily. It killed a hiker and sent tourists fleeing into the sea
AFP/Getty
45/50 2 July 2019
An orangutan looks out of its cage in the controversial Pata Zoo in Thailand. Located at the top of a department store, the zoo has been controversial for keeping animals in tiny, concrete cages
EPA
46/50 1 July 2019
A protester breaks in to the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong during a protest on the 22nd anniversary of the territory's handover to China from Britain
Reuters
47/50 30 June 2019
Riot police use rubber pellets to disperse LGBT rights activists as they try to gather for a pride parade, which was banned by the governorship, in central Istanbul, Turkey
Reuters
48/50 29 June 2019
A member of the LGBTQ community participates in the Metro Manila Pride parade in Marikina City, Philippines
Reuters
49/50 28 June 2019
Explosive charges blow up the remaining sections of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy after it partially collapsed last year killing 43 and injuring dozens
AFP/Getty
50/50 27 June 2019
A forest fire flare up in Ziltendorf near Frankfurt, Germany as mainland Europe suffers an intense heatwave
AFP/Getty
1/50 15 August 2019
Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako bow during a memorial service ceremony marking the 74th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two, in Tokyo, Japan
REUTERS
2/50 14 August 2019
A woman walks with a Kashmir's flag to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir, during a ceremony to celebrate Pakistan's 72nd Independence Day at the Mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi, Pakistan
REUTERS
3/50 13 August 2019
The extraordinary moment a volcano erupted, shooting luminous hot lava from the surface, as a lightning bolt striked the centre of the mountain. Photographer Martin Reitze, 55, captured rare images of volcanic ash escaping from the Ebeko volcano in Russia whilst the lightning froze the ash cloud in time. Martin, from Munich, was standing around a kilometre away from the northern crater of the volcano when it erupted. The volcano expert said: "The strong lightning which shows in the image is a very rare exception, as it was much stronger than usual."
Martin Reitze/SWNS
4/50 12 August 2019
People swim in a public bath pool in Zalakaros, Hungary. Some regions of the country have been issued the highest grade of warning by the National Meteorological Service as the temperatures may reach 33-38 centigrade.
EPA
5/50 11 August 2019
A pro-democracy protester is held by police outside Tsim Sha Tsui Police station during a demonstration against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong
AFP/Getty
6/50 10 August 2019
Muslim pilgrims make their way down on a rocky hill known as Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia
AP
7/50 9 August 2019
Waves hit a sea wall in front of buildings in Taizhou, China's eastern Zhejiang province. China issued a red alert for incoming Super Typhoon Lekima which is expected to batter eastern Zhejiang province early on August 10 with high winds and torrential rainfall.
AFP/Getty
8/50 8 August 2019
A herder struggles with his flock across a motorway at the city cattle market, ahead of the Eid al-Adha in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Eid al-Adha is the holiest of the two Muslims holidays celebrated each year, it marks the yearly Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj) to visit Mecca, the holiest place in Islam. Muslims slaughter a sacrificial animal and split the meat into three parts, one for the family, one for friends and relatives, and one for the poor and needy.
EPA
9/50 7 August 2019
Kazakh servicemen perform during a ceremony opening the International Army Games at the 40th military base Otar in Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan.
Reuters
10/50 6 August 2019
Paleontologist Naturalis Anne Schulp takes part in the construction of the skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus Rex called Trix in Naturalis in Leiden, The Netherlands. After a month-long tour of Europe, Trix is home in time for the opening of the new museum.
AFP/Getty
11/50 5 August 2019
Flowers paying tribute to the eight-year-old boy who died after he was pushed under a train at Frankfurt am Main's station. The horrific crime happened last week and has led politicians to call for heightened security.
AFP/Getty
12/50 4 August 2019
Mourners take part in a vigil near the border fence between Mexico and the US after a mass shooting at a Walmart store in El Paso killed 20 people. The suspected gunman behind shooting is believed to be a 21-year-old white man called Patrick Crusius.
Reuters
13/50 3 August 2019
Pramac Racing's rider Jack Miller in action during a practice session at the Motorcycling Grand Prix of the Czech Republic. The race will take place on 4 August
EPA
14/50 2 August 2019
An extremely rare Pink Meanie jellyfish on display at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town. The Pink Meanie was discovered during a nightlight jellyfish dive by the collections team in the waters around Robben Island and in Cape Town Harbour. Pink Meanies are jellyvorous, meaning they feed on other jelly species by reeling them in with their long tentacles. Discovering the Pink Meanie in its early ephyra stage meant the team could study its growth rate which turned out to be very quick as it grew to the metaephyra stage in about a week and a half. The Mexican pink meanie (Drymonema larsoni) was only discovered in the year 2000. A Mediterranean relative, known as the Big Pink Jellyfish (Drymonema dalmatinum) has been known to science since the 1800s but when spotted in 2014 it had been almost 70 years since the last sighting. These jellies are incredibly rare and this new South African species is no exception
EPA
15/50 1 August 2019
Palestinian men breathe fire on the beach as entertainment for children during the summer vacation in Gaza City
AFP/Getty
16/50 31 July 2019
A woman rows a boat through the lotus plants on the waters of Dal Lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. The lake is a popular tourist destination because of its floating gardens and lotus flowers
EPA
17/50 30 July 2019
An effigy of demon Ghantakarna is burnt to symbolize the destruction of evil and belief to drive evil spirits and ghost, during the Ghantakarna festival at the ancient city of Bhaktapur, Nepal
Reuters
18/50 29 July 2019
Hundreds of hot air balloons take part in the Great Line at the Mondial Air Ballons festival, in an attempt to break the 2017 record of 456 balloons aligning in an hour during the biggest meeting in the world, in Chambley, France
Reuters
19/50 28 July 2019
Anti-extradition bill protesters with umbrellas attend a rally against the police brutality in Hong Kong
EPA
20/50 27 July 2019
A general view of stalls closed following yesterday's volcanic eruption at the tourism area of Mount Tangkuban Parahu in the north of Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia.
Reuters
21/50 26 July 2019
Protesters rally against a controversial extradition bill in the arrivals hall at the international airport in Hong Kong
AFP/Getty
22/50 25 July 2019
The pack rides in a valley during the eighteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Embrun and Valloire
AFP/Getty
23/50 24 July 2019
Former special counsel Robert Mueller is sworn in to testify before a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the investigation into Russian Interference of the 2016 Presidential Election
Reuters
24/50 23 July 2019
People cool down at the fountains of Trocadero during a heatwave in Paris
EPA
25/50 22 July 2019
Activists burn an effigy of President Rodrigo Duterte, depicted as a sea monster, during a protest near congress. This is to coincide with his state of the nation address in Manila
AFP/Getty
26/50 21 July 2019
Protesters run from tear gas, fired by police, after a march against a controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong. The masked protesters covered the walls of China's office in Hong Kong with eggs and graffiti following another massive rally
AFP/Getty
27/50 20 July 2019
Fans line the streets of Algiers to see the national Algerian football team take part in an open-top bus parade following their victory in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. They were celebrating their second Cup of Nations win, 29 years after their first triumph in 1990
AFP/Getty
28/50 19 July 2019
The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission is celebrated in a 17-minute show, "Apollo 50: Go for the Moon" which combined full-motion projection-mapping artwork on the Washington Monument and archival footage to recreate the launch of Apollo 11
Nasa/AP
29/50 18 July 2019
A pupil from Northlen Primary school sticks a poster of former president Nelson Mandela on a chalkboard, as they mark his birthday in Durban. July 18, marks 101 years since the birth of Mandela in 1918
AFP/Getty
30/50 17 July 2019
Firefighters rush to the scene to put out a fire that spread to parked cars in Jerusalem, following an extreme heat wave
AFP/Getty Images
31/50 16 July 2019
Rescuers work at the site of collapsed building in Dongri area of Mumbai, India
EPA
32/50 15 July 2019
A motorist drives past a destroyed house after a large earthquake that hit Surigao City, in the southern island of Mindanao, Philippines
AFP/Getty Images
33/50 14 July 2019
French Gendarmes remove fences next to a burning portable toilet during clashes with protesters on the Champs Elysees avenue after the traditional Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France
Reuters
34/50 13 July 2019
A recortador jumps over a bull during a contest in a bullring at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain
Reuters
35/50 12 July 2019
Japan's Megumu Yoshida and Yukiko Inui compete in the duet technical artistic swimming event during the 2019 World Championships at Yeomju Gymnasium in Gwangju
AFP/Getty
36/50 11 July 2019
Hot air balloons fly over the city of Igualada during an early flight as part of the European Balloon Festival in Igualada, Spain. The European Balloon Festival has become the most important hot air balloon event in Spain and one of the biggest in Europe
Getty
37/50 10 July 2019
USA's players take part in their champions parade through New York after winning the Women's World Cup at the weekend in France
Reuters
38/50 9 July 2019
The pack rides during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Nancy, France
AP
39/50 8 July 2019
Temple Priest Siva Sri Arumugam Paskarakurukkal and Hindu devotees celebrate the Makorcavam temple festival at Germany's largest Hindu temple in Hamm, Germany
EPA
40/50 7 July 2019
Megan Rapinoe lifts the Women's World Cup following USA's victory over The Netherlands at Stade de Lyon in the final held in France
Getty
41/50 6 July 2019
Manneken Pis is dressed in the overall leader's yellow jersey, before the start of the Tour de France Stage 1
Reuters
42/50 5 July 2019
Sudanese protesters celebrate in the streets of Khartoum after ruling generals and protest leaders announced they have reached an agreement on the disputed issue of a new governing body
AFP/Getty Images
43/50 4 July 2019
Demonstrators burn a national flag in front of the White House during a Fourth of July protest
Reuters
44/50 3 July 2019
Smoke billows and flames propagate across the hillside near houses after the Stromboli volcano erupted in the north of Sicily. It killed a hiker and sent tourists fleeing into the sea
AFP/Getty
45/50 2 July 2019
An orangutan looks out of its cage in the controversial Pata Zoo in Thailand. Located at the top of a department store, the zoo has been controversial for keeping animals in tiny, concrete cages
EPA
46/50 1 July 2019
A protester breaks in to the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong during a protest on the 22nd anniversary of the territory's handover to China from Britain
Reuters
47/50 30 June 2019
Riot police use rubber pellets to disperse LGBT rights activists as they try to gather for a pride parade, which was banned by the governorship, in central Istanbul, Turkey
Reuters
48/50 29 June 2019
A member of the LGBTQ community participates in the Metro Manila Pride parade in Marikina City, Philippines
Reuters
49/50 28 June 2019
Explosive charges blow up the remaining sections of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy after it partially collapsed last year killing 43 and injuring dozens
AFP/Getty
50/50 27 June 2019
A forest fire flare up in Ziltendorf near Frankfurt, Germany as mainland Europe suffers an intense heatwave
AFP/Getty
Mr Turnbull said the proposed law was modelled on the UK’s controversial Investigatory Powers Act, which compels service providers to decrypt their supposedly private communications under certain circumstances.
The UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd is due to travel to the US in the next few weeks to hold talks with technology companies over the problem of how to tackle encryption and criminality.
Ms Rudd has previously called encryption “completely unacceptable”, while Prime Minister Theresa May has accused the internet giants of giving terrorists “safe spaces” to communicate.
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