House debates Questions without Notice
National Security
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:00 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the unprecedented cabinet leak of national security. Has the Prime Minister asked the Federal Police to investigate the source of this cabinet leak?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:01 pm
I know that oppositions, quite rightly, are concerned with these sorts of issues—
Jenny Macklin Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Payments
You should be.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
but the important thing is that the people of Australia know that they have a government which takes their national security seriously. The important thing is that the people of Australia know that this is a government which has a clear and definite plan to protect them from people who would do them harm. Last week the government announced a clear plan.
Ms Macklin interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
We will strip citizenship from terrorists who are dual nationals. I want to repeat that: we will strip citizenship from terrorists who are dual nationals. We will be introducing legislation shortly to bring this about. It is interesting that the shadow Attorney-General comes to the dispatch box. Where does Labor stand?
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. To be relevant, the Prime Minister should refer to whether or not the leak is—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member will resume his seat. I would remind the member for Isaacs that repeating the question is not a proper point of order, which he ought to know.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The government has a very clear position.
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
You don't actually!
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
We will strip citizenship from terrorists who are dual nationals. Beyond that, we have released a public discussion paper, which I commend to the Leader of the Opposition and to all members of this House, on this broad subject. Shortly legislation will come before this parliament to strip citizenship from terrorists who are dual nationals. I think the people of Australia deserve to know where the Labor Party stands on this issue.
The position of the government is clear. We will strip citizenship from terrorists who are dual nationals and the Leader of the Opposition should do the people a favour and tell us exactly where he stands on this.