House debates Questions without Notice
National Security
Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
2:07 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer once again to the cabinet leak on national security. Can the Prime Minister confirm the 10-day cabinet rule was not followed and does the Prime Minister agree with his communications minister that the cabinet is a shambles?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Again I make the point that the government has an absolutely clear position when it comes to terrorists with dual citizenship. We have an absolutely clear position when it comes to terrorists with dual citizenship—they will lose their Australian citizenship. It is a very, very clear position from the government—terrorists with dual citizenship will be stripped of their Australian nationality.
Mr Dreyfus interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Again I ask the Leader of the Opposition what is his position? Does he want to allow terrorists with dual nationality to keep their Australian citizenship? That is the question.
Mr Albanese interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
This is a government which has a very strong record when it comes to national security. We have spent something like $1.3 billion to improve the performance of our national security agencies—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Could the Prime Minister table the legislation he is referring to? No-one has seen it.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There is no point of order, and you know perfectly well there is no point of order. You can consider yourself warned.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Madam Speaker, plainly members opposite would rather shout than listen, so I simply make the point that this is a government which has invested an additional $1.3 billion in strengthening our police and national security agencies and this is a government which has successfully put through the parliament four tranches of improved counter-terrorist legislation. We have just appointed a Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and, within a fortnight, we will have introduced into the parliament legislation to strip terrorists who are dual nationals of their Australian citizenship. I expect members opposite to give us support on this important measure.