Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

Resourcing clearly is one of the myriad of issues that are taken into account. At the end of the day it is ultimately the compromise position that, if we had gone for 5½ years, it clearly would have been against the advice of the agencies involved. Going for 10 years, we of course are still going against the advice of the agencies and against the suggestion of the parliamentary committee. That is what so often happens when a government confronted with the reality of government has to strike compromises. On this occasion, clearly the agencies and the opposition are not happy with our compromise. They would argue that no sunset clause is required, and the argument on the other hand is that the sunset clause ought to be for a shorter period of time. I can understand all the arguments and, for better or worse, the government has struck on a compromise of 10 years. That is the government’s position. I do not think the Attorney or the government will be changing their views in relation to that, given that the 10-year sunset clause regime has found its way into other parts of our counter-terrorism legislation.

Question put:

That the amendments (Senator Ludwig’s) be agreed to.