For the second time in three years, the federal government is putting forward a proposal to store consumer metadata for up to 2 years. But what does this mean exactly? George Brandis was vague about the proposal and at present nobody knows whether this metadata will include all IP-based traffic, coming from a desktop, a kiosk, and even your 3G mobile phone. Metadata can be more revealing that content because it shows frequencies of use and social network relationships, keywords are also sometimes more important than a whole bunch of actual content- think email header information, domain names you visit, mobile phone calls you make. ISPs are being asked to foot the bill to this new proposal outcomes if it is passed but the government doesn't seem to understand the implications which are linked to the potential for security breaches, hacking, insider attacks, and increased vectors for interception of personal information. They also do not realise that billing systems are NOT to be used for investigations for criminal activity without a warrant. Billing systems are made for billing individual consumers, and not for mass surveillance. The systems are meant to gather accurate data about the amount of data people upload or download, and the calls they make to their community of interest. Sadly, the government thinks this data is ready for use in another setting- criminal investigations. This proposal will only increase blanket surveillance in our society, and will not solve those counter-terrorism cases claimed. This proposal is alarming!