House debates Questions without Notice

Minister for Defence

Tuesday, 16 February 2021 House of Representatives

Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition

2:24 pm

My question is again to the Prime Minister, and I ask: does the Prime Minister have confidence in his defence minister?

Scott Morrison

Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister

Yes, I do. The defence minister, having looked into this matter over the last day and a half and in my discussions with her, was seeking to provide support to Brittany in those circumstances and to exercise judgement in relation to protecting her privacy. Now that judgement on that, of course, is being called into question, and that issue, I think, will carry with it some important lessons. I think the many processes that are now getting underway—and, indeed, the others that have already been discussed here today—can address those issues.

This is a shattering incident, as I've said. It is very serious and we have been taking it very, very seriously, from the moment I became aware, in the actions that we are taking. We can do this together or we can do it in another way. I'm keen to do this together and address this as a parliament. I don't think this should be a matter of politics. It should be a matter of keeping people safe in this building.