Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Again we hear the slur that is made against Mr Keelty and the Australian Federal Police. The Rudd Labor government supports the Australian Federal Police in its endeavours across the wide range of work that it does, both internationally and domestically and in working with interagencies such as ASIO and local and state police right across the board. The Rudd Labor government is supportive of that.

The real issue is that we have announced an inquiry into the Haneef matter. What the opposition did not do prior to the election, during the matter, was to have an inquiry. What is now clear is that the opposition does support an inquiry into the Haneef matter, and that, quite frankly, is welcome. It is necessary to have a look into that matter. Unlike the opposition, the Rudd government believes playing politics with national security is irresponsible and completely counterproductive. (Time expired)