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

What I want to say to you, Senator Fawcett, and to the Australian people in general is that the public should feel confident that law enforcement and intelligence agencies and the government are taking every possible step to ensure the safety and security of our communities. People should remain calm and let the authorities manage the situation that took place overnight. The government is ensuring that the agencies have the tools and resources necessary to combat threats to our security and safety.

Later today I will be introducing a second tranche of legislation to address the most pressing gaps in our current counter-terrorism legislative framework, those that have the greatest impact on prevention and disruption of domestic terrorist threats. I am pleased to be able to tell you, Senator Fawcett, that this morning the Prime Minister received a letter from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Shorten, in which he advised the Prime Minister that the opposition would do all in its power to facilitate the effective and expeditious passage of that legislation through the parliament. (Time expired)