Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I'm going directly to the issuing of passports and why it happens in a normal way, no matter who the government is. Australian citizens have rights, and the Constitution has not changed. It hasn't changed from the time that former prime minister Morrison said that 'normal assessments' would have to be done, including formal identification and checking citizenship. Mr Morrison said:

Where those issues are able to be addressed, we would follow the normal processes for issuing of travel documents.

It goes as well to what people on your frontbench, appointed by you, have had to say.

Opposition members interjecting—

They have said:

Although many of these people are of counterterrorism interest, under article 12.4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, it is their right, as Australian citizens, to return to Australia.

That's what they have had to say. On my watch, while I've been Prime Minister, this is what the member for Riverina has had to say:

All the shock jocks and so many people who call themselves patriots will say they shouldn't be allowed back into Australia, but they're Australian citizens, so you can't leave them stateless. They are entitled to come back here.

That's what the member for Riverina said just in October last year.

Opposition members interjecting—

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