Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

It is not for me to try to second-guess the views of the CDF, but I suppose an alternative would be to send Senator Milne over there to say, 'Please stop,' and see how that works. However, the reality in the world is that, from time to time, military action may be required. Whether it is or is not in these circumstances, I am not going to seek to pre-empt. The relevant authorities and the relevant responsible people will make that decision, if it needs to be made, in due course after taking every single possible factor into account. Can I simply say that under our constitution the Governor-General is in charge of our defence forces. (Time expired)