This was a clear problem in the case of the police's search of journalist Nicky Hager's home and property in 2014, and this particular instance is the underlying driver of this bill in its design. According to the Independent Police Conduct Authority report on this situation, police policy at the time did not adequately set out the procedure officers needed to follow when applying for a search warrant or executing a search in relation to potentially privileged material. This combined with the lack of experience at the time in such matters, on the part of those officers involved, and the lack of legislative clarity to cause an "unwitting neglect of duty", as quoted. The specific purpose of this bill is to clarify and strengthen this area of our law to make sure that this scenario does not happen again. This bill clearly addresses the existing gap in the law and the specific issues highlighted within the Hager case by reinforcing the Evidence Act and the Search and Surveillance Act in recognition of journalists' duty to protect their sources from disclosure.