Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I thought it might be useful for the opposition to deal with our position before we go into what might be a more lengthy question-and-answer discussion. Senator Wright, we have reached the provisions in the bill that deal with the very important issue of advocating terrorism. During my second reading contribution and others from the Labor Party—we did have a rather limited second reading debate—I did not cover the full detail of Labor's concerns about this area to assist the committee stage consideration or, indeed, the amendments that we will be moving. I will do that when we come to our amendments, but in relation to this particular amendment (12) I should indicate, as I think Senator Brandis has already noted in his comments, that Labor supports a new offence for counselling or urging the commission of a terrorist act. We believe that it is right that this captures those whose reckless conduct leads to someone committing a terrorist act. This Green amendment would mean this offence goes no further than existing incitement crimes which would apply already where someone urges or counsels a terrorist act intending that act to be committed. Senator Wright, that is our specific concern in relation to your amendment (12).

On some broader issues, I understand that, like Senator Macdonald, Senator Dastyari did not have an opportunity to contribute to the second reading debate but also wants to highlight to the government some of the important issues around concerns in the community about how we need to get advocating terrorism right in this bill. I hope there will be some small scope in this committee consideration for Senator Dastyari to cover a few points for the opposition as well, appreciating the limited time that we have available.