Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Acting Deputy President. I can assure Senator McKim that, despite all of his interjections and his denial, the threats here in Australia are very real indeed. Since 2014, our national terrorism threat level has been at 'probable' for very good reason. In that time, we have had 40 major counterterrorism operations which have resulted in the prevention of 15 probable attacks on Australians. Sadly, seven still occurred. We have had 230 passports cancelled and we have hundreds of people on the national watchlist. Senator McKim, the threat is real and all of us have a duty to protect Australians from that. The amendments in this legislation will ensure that the ADF is better able to respond quickly to those terrorist threats. The bill will enhance the ability of the ADF to support state and territory police in responding to incidents of significant violence occurring in Australia, including terrorism.

Under the amendments, states and territories will continue to have primary responsibility for protecting life and properties in their jurisdictions—again contrary to what the Greens have said will be the case. State and territory police forces are well equipped to respond to modern domestic terrorism incidents and also play a primary role as first responders within minutes of an attack. However, the amendments will ensure that the Commonwealth can more easily respond to requests from states and territories for ADF assistance where the states and territories are not able, or believe that they're unlikely to be able, to protect themselves against incidents of significant violence. In deciding whether to call out the ADF, the Commonwealth will need to consider the nature of the incident and whether the call-out of the ADF would enhance the state or territory response.

I will highlight three things the amendments will do in particular. Firstly, they will allow the government to pre-authorise the ADF to respond to specified threats on land, at sea or in the air. Secondly, they will simplify, expand and clarify the ADF's power to search, seize and control movement during a violent or terrorist incident. Thirdly, they will enhance the ability of the ADF to respond to incidents occurring in more than one jurisdiction. While the ADF's primary role for counterterrorism is offshore, the ADF has personnel, resources and specialist skills that can assist our emergency services to respond in the event of a terrorist attack.

Debate interrupted.