The pledge was made by Shadow Minister for Human Services and the Digital Economy, Ed Husic, at a forum in Sydney on Wednesday, organised under the banner of Safe Encryption Australia, and attended by about 320 people either in or associated with the tech industry.

Husic acknowledges that his “side of politics” didn’t want to be wedged on Security but insists they will work to include amendments based upon the 17 recommendations #AmendAA

— Gavin Costello (@gavincostello) March 26, 2019

Husic, incidentally, was the only politician from a major political party to attend the forum which was organised by tech website InnovationAus and StartupAUS.

Husic, who was part of the panel for the event, said there were a number of Labor politicians who were aware of the serious implications the law, in its current form, posed to the Australian technology industry.

He said that he was aware of the pathetic level of consultation undertaken by the government before the bill was introduced and also the fact that many major players were not consulted. Labor wanted to consult and make changes that would prevent the law from harming the industry, he added.

From left: Girl Geek Academy chief executive Sarah Moran, Shadow Minister for Human Services and the Digital Economy Ed Husic, Fastmail chief of staff Nicola Nye, NUIX founder and cyber investor Eddie Sheehy and Atlassian co-founder and chair Scott Farquhar at Wednesday's forum.

Eddie Sheehy from @nuix praises the brilliant encryption companies here but says the laws could "crucify them" #AmendAA

— Rachel Worsley (@Rachel_Worsley) March 26, 2019

Two prominent Australian tech industry representatives — Senetas chairman and founder Francis Galbally and Atlassian co-founder and chairman Scott Farquhar — stressed that a lack of changes would mean that industries would have to move out of Australia to keep their customers.

Atlassian, the biggest Australian tech company, and Senetas, which ships something in the region of $2 billion of product to a multitude of customers, including the Israeli parliament, were not consulted prior to the drafting of the bill.

Galbally, who has given forceful presentations to the PJCIS during hearings in 2018, said he did not want to shift his company as he loved the country. But he said he would have no option unless the law — officially known as the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 — underwent some radical changes.

People are telling me I don't know if I can trust you. I will go somewhere else. Customers have put in submissions to the inquiry - Nicola Nye @impishfae @fastmail #AmendAA #aabill

— Rachel Worsley (@Rachel_Worsley) March 26, 2019

Among the things he listed were definitions for systemic weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and the degree of scrutiny that was carried out before requests were made for changes to existing technologies.

Others who participated in the event were Nuix founder and cyber investor Eddie Sheehy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation and Enterprise) UTS, Glenn Wightwick, and Girl Geek Academy chief executive Sarah Moran who acted as the moderator.

The Australian Parliament is expected to discuss the amendments to the law on 2 April when it reconvenes, before the PJCIS submits its report on 3 April.