Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Transport) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition do not accept that this position functions properly on a part-time basis. We have been critical of the fact that, in its current guise, the practice has been for the occupant of the position to be effectively conducting a public relations exercise and not inquiring into security and dealing with the problems of our security system. We think that is likely to continue with a part-time officer. We do not think that is good enough. We will be pursuing this matter and I am sure that our shadow spokesman for homeland security will be making statements about the lack of commitment this government has to the full-time filling of this position. The government is not fair dinkum in relation to the passage of this legislation. This is more spin by this government on the issue of security where it is not prepared to face up to the responsibility of appointing somebody on a full-time basis and making that a requirement in the legislation.

Question negatived.

Progress reported.