House debates Questions without Notice
National Security
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:03 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the visit by the Prime Minister, the Attorney-General and the Minister for Justice to ASIO headquarters, with television cameras in tow. Prime Minister, whose idea was this and what security protocols were put in place for the Prime Minister's photo opportunity?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:04 pm
This is a curious question from the Leader of the Opposition. It is a very curious question from the Leader of the Opposition—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
because my ministers and I went to ASIO headquarters yesterday to receive a briefing from the Director-General of ASIO—
Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
and the suggestion that is coming from members opposite is that—
Opposition members interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I will not put up with that barrage of noise. It is a serious question you have asked, and I will listen to the answer.
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
There is a secure briefing room in Parliament House. Why didn't you use that?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The suggestion from members opposite is that ASIO in some way conducted this briefing unprofessionally. Members opposite are impugning the professionalism of ASIO. The idea that this briefing would have been unprofessional, the idea that there would have been any release of classified information to the media is insulting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Prime Minister will resume his seat. Does the member for Grayndler have a point of order? I call the honourable member for Murray.