Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
3:13 pm
Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
I certainly do.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Today during question time the Prime Minister claimed that I and Labor had changed our position today on stripping citizenship from dual nationals who are fighting against Australia with a terrorist group. This is completely untrue. In fact, I have stated my in principle support for this proposal on at least three occasions since 27 May and again today. A statement on 26 May says:
Labor is open to any sensible change to the Citizenship Act that improves our current system.
Currently, the Act states that a person will have their citizenship revoked if they serve in the military of a nation at war with Australia.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
The statement further states:
It is clear the disturbing number of Australians joining groups such as Daesh pose a new threat that warrants a sensible update of our laws to reflect this.
There is no task that Labor takes more seriously than national security.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition was straying into argument, but I let him continue.