Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I have a question for you. I would ask that you examine—I don't have access to the Hansard, but I particularly refer to the answer given by the Minister for Defence in his last dorothy dixer, and it goes to two issues. One is the issue that was raised by the Manager of Opposition Business with regard to the reflections on members of a very serious nature that were made during that debate. I take that very seriously, and the idea that that should be the subject of partisanship and partisan domestic debate at a time of international uncertainty is just not acceptable and is not in Australia's national interests.

The second point I make is just as serious or perhaps more so. In the Minister for Defence's answer, he referred to a purported view, purportedly expressed by the Director-General of ASIO. I have regular briefings. I had a briefing with the head of ONI yesterday. I had a briefing with the Director-General of ASIO two weeks ago. I take national security in today's world very seriously, and that's why I do that. The idea that—

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