Cyber intelligence agency gets new powers

One of Australia's cyber security agencies will have increased powers to thwart serious crimes like child exploitation and drug trafficking after legislation cleared parliament.

From July 1, the Australian Signals Directorate will be able to prevent and disrupt crime being committed outside Australia by electronic means.

The ASD will now be a statutory body reporting directly to Defence Minister Marise Payne after the bill passed the Senate unopposed on Wednesday.

The changes are part of a wide-ranging review of Australia's intelligence capabilities announced by the Turnbull government last year.