Andrew Broad (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I wish to talk about something that is very important to my electorate, and that is the security of the Australian people. I am very pleased that we have got a Minister for Justice who takes this very seriously. If you look at the welfare of a country, you have to have a country that does not have corruption and that has security so people can go about and live their lives. The thing that has been an issue particularly in the electorate of Mallee has been ice. Ice is being run by bikie gangs, and it has been a really significant issue. I have taken great comfort in the minister's strong interest not only in limiting the trafficking of ice but also in limiting the criminal activity that has surrounded that. About a year ago, I spent a night with the Victoria Police in Mildura, which was fun. It was actually the night of the triple j One Night Stand, which was an experience in itself.

An honourable member interjecting—

Well, that is what it is called. It is a rock concert, for the record, just to clear up any misunderstanding for Hansard! In that, we were also able to have a discussion around what is happening. One of the questions I have got for the minister is: what is the action the government is taking to ensure the safety and security of law enforcement and intelligence officers?

I also commend the minister for taking a very strong and respectful interest when it comes to gun laws. People in my electorate are shooters. They are responsible shooters. The great thing about the Howard gun laws, which often gets lost in the discussion, is the cooling-off period—the fact that you cannot get up a head of steam and go out and purchase a gun; you have actually got to wait a month or more. You have got to have a justifiable reason for it. You have got to pass a good character test. That has been very welcome.

I am interested in the minister's response about what action he is taking to make sure that people in my community feel safe. I commend him for the work that he has been doing so far. I have particular interest in what he is doing around the topic of ice, because that is an area where, unfortunately, we seem to have people involved in that trade and partaking in illegal firearm importation as well. It disappoints me that the opposition has been very limp-wristed instead of backing the coalition on closing that down. I look forward to a very worthwhile response from the minister.

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