Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I do thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question, because it gives me an opportunity to reassure the parliament and the people of Australia that their national security is in good hands with this government. Their national security is in very good hands with this government. This government has increased funding to our police and national-security agencies by some $1.3 billion after some $700 million was cut out from it when members opposite were in charge. This government has increased funding for our customs and border-protection services which, again, lost some $600 million when members opposite were in charge. This government has introduced four tranches of stronger national-security legislation. This government—with, I am pleased to say, the support of the opposition, in this particular instance—has dispatched a strong force to the Middle East, where we can take action, appropriate action, along with our partners and allies to disrupt, degrade and ultimately destroy the Islamist Daesh death cult. So the national security in this country is in good hands.

In this sitting fortnight the government will introduce legislation to strip citizenship from terrorists who are dual nationals. This is very important legislation.

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