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

Senator O'Neill, when it comes to security matters, we simply do not comment. We simply do not comment. That was the position taken by your leader, Mr Shorten, yesterday. Mr Shorten said yesterday that no serious leader of an Australian political party would comment on security matters. You have asked me to comment on a security matter. I direct you to what your leader, Mr Shorten, said. Of course, Mr Shorten said many things. Mr Shorten once said, 'Julia Gillard has my full support'. That was in 2013. He once said, 'Kevin Rudd has my full support'. That was in 2010. But it was yesterday that Mr Shorten said, 'No serious political leader would comment on security matters,' and yet that is what you have asked me to do.