Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I certainly do.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We are now going into argument.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition was straying into argument, but I let him continue.