CANBERRA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Australian Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton has said that the nation needs to have a "sensible discussion" on domestic spy powers.

Asked on Sunday about reports that the government is planning to expand the powers of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), Dutton said certain circumstances could warrant the agency taking action against Australian citizens.

Under current laws, the ASD is charged with monitoring and countering cyber threats from international sources but Fairfax Media reported on Saturday that it could be authorized to do so within Australia.

"I think there needs to be a sensible discussion about whether or not we've got the ability to deal with threats we face," he said during an appearance on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television.

It comes after Australian National University (ANU) revealed earlier in June that it had been subject to a massive cyber attack, with up to 19 years of student and staff data illegally accessed.

"This is a massive debate for us over I think the next decade and beyond," Dutton said.

He described the suggestion that the government wants to spy on citizens as "complete nonsense" but said doing so was necessary in some circumstances. Enditem

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