George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. The minister will of course understand that no aspect of my question went to operational issues. Given the importance of the program, as the minister himself has acknowledged, why does he feel unable to give an assurance that the number of sky marshals will not be reduced? Why does he continue to hide behind the budget process excuse when he could perfectly well give an assurance that the numbers will not be reduced if that is indeed the government’s position?