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 extraordinary leaks from cabinet on important national security matters. Can the Prime Minister confirm that the reason his legislation will only be considered by the National Security Committee is that the Prime Minister cannot get it through his full cabinet?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I am delighted to get this question from the Leader of the Opposition because it gives me an opportunity to say that this government has a very clear position. We are stripping citizenship from terrorists who are dual nationals. We are stripping citizenship from terrorists who are dual nationals because if someone leaves this country to fight for a terrorist army in Syria or Iraq we do not want them back.
Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Why don't you show us some legislation?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
If you leave this country to fight for a terrorist army in Syria or Iraq, you are committing a modern form of treason and we do not want you back.
Ms Plibersek interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Sydney will desist or leave—one or the other.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The government has a very clear position. We do not want terrorists coming back to Australia.
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
Show us the bill.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
If the member for Isaacs is anxious for an early mark, I can accommodate him.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The Labor Party, the opposition, have had three positions in just three weeks.
Nick Champion Wakefield, Australian Labor Party
And you have had no bill.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
First of all they said that stripping citizenship from terrorists who are dual nationals was dog whistling. That was their first position. The second position they had was that they supported it in principle. But today, this morning, courtesy of the shadow Attorney-General, they have a third position and that is: if you are a terrorist going to Syria or Iraq to fight with a terrorist army, the shadow Attorney-General says, 'Please come back. We want you back. We will roll out the red carpet. We will roll out the welcome mat. Just come back.'
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order? You may not enter into argument but you may raise a point of order.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
That was a disgraceful slur from this desperate Prime Minister. He should withdraw right now.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
You always use slogans. You should withdraw.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
If the Leader of the Opposition does not resume his seat, he will leave the chamber.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
If I had said something that was untrue, if I had said something that had impugned—
Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
You have said many many things that are untrue.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I have said the member for Sydney will desist or leave. The choice is hers. We will have some silence. The Prime Minister has the call.
Opposition members: Withdraw.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
If I had said something that was unfair, of course I would withdraw. I want to quote the exact words of the shadow Attorney-General today. Kieran Gilbert on Sky TV said to the shadow Attorney-General:
So, someone who is fighting in Al-Raqqah in Syria?
And the shadow Attorney-General said:
Well, you get them back here.
So he wants terrorists back in Australia.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
That's inaccurate.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Let me do it again. Kieran Gilbert of Sky News said:
So, someone who is fighting in Al-Raqqah in Syria?
What do you do about them? That was the question. Mark Dreyfus said:
Well, you get them back here.
He wants to bring the terrorists back; the government wants to keep them out—it is as simple as that.