Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Hansard source

The package of measures recently announced by the government will further assist border agencies in addressing these threats both with increased resources and broader legislative powers. We will be bringing to the Australian parliament a package of legislative measures designed to toughen and strengthen the powers available to prevent certain people from entering and leaving Australia. Our border agencies do know that there are some Australians who seek to leave Australia to take part in foreign conflicts. Counter-terrorism unit officers have already had success in intercepting a number of such people of national security concern. Those departing Australia to take part in overseas conflicts are a risk to national security. If they are successful in leaving Australia, they may eventually return war hardened and with the intent to harm Australians. The officers of the Customs and Border Protection service should be commended for the exceptional work that they do in keeping all Australians safe.