Ian Campbell (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Heritage) Share this | Hansard source

Because, as I have already explained, the status quo, the position as it stands now, allows the Leader of the Opposition to receive a final report. This government has always taken the view that the Leader of the Opposition should be briefed on issues of national security, and that position will continue with this bill. It does not need to be written into the law because it is the situation as it stands. This is what the government does and this is what previous governments have done. It is part of the protocol that exists. As I have said, it has only been breached, in any significant way that I can recall, by one Leader of the Opposition—and in quite spectacular fashion—a couple of years ago.

Question negatived.