Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I have asked the opposition to support a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of at least five years for gun smuggling and trafficking in illegal weapons. The Leader of the Opposition has written to me—I have received the letter in the House. He said: 'There is no convincing evidence to prove mandatory minimum sentencing acts as an effective deterrent.' All right. Well, that is his view now.

Let's look at the member for Gorton back in 2011—he boasted of introducing, in respect of people smuggling, a mandatory minimum sentence of eight years—or, indeed, the member for Parramatta. She said: 'I am proud to stand to support this bill'.

Importantly, it extends mandatory minimum penalties for people-smuggling—

and so it goes on—

These amendments demonstrate that the Rudd government is serious about stopping people smugglers.

So the reality is that the Labor Party knows that mandatory minimum sentences have a very important deterrent effect. They know that. They supported them in the past when they were in government, but apparently trafficking in illegal firearms is not important enough to warrant them supporting mandatory minimum sentences now. If they are serious about keeping Australians safe—if they are serious about stamping out gun crime—they should support our legislation so that we can stamp out the illegal trafficking in weapons.

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