House debates

Wednesday, 29 May 2013

Questions without Notice

National Security

2:12 pm

Photo of Anthony ByrneAnthony Byrne (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I have nothing further to add to the statement that I have made, but I do flag a concern here. I take my job as chair of the parliamentary joint intelligence committee very seriously. What I have observed, and what concerns me, with respect to the conduct of the Leader of the Opposition and the opposition in the past couple of days is this: that committee report was a joint report. It was a unanimous report. It was a report by consensus on two sides. I have never seen in this place, in my entire time, with one exception, national security just thrown around like it is a political plaything. And I accuse you, opposition leader, of doing so. You are the least qualified opposition leader to talk about matters of national security since Mark Latham. As to your stunt with the former director-general, Paul O'Sullivan

Opposition members interjecting

Did you ask questions that breached the Intelligence Services Act? I think I would be treading very carefully if I were you. The next question would be—

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