Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Rennick, you are part of a government, as you know, that makes no apology for taking strong action to keep Australia and Australians safe. Senator Rennick, you would be aware that there are individuals and groups who are actively seeking to wreak havoc in our community. Since 12 September 2014, when the national terrorism threat level was raised, there have been seven attacks and 16 major counterterrorism disruption operations in response to potential attack planning in Australia. Around 230 people in Australia are currently being investigated for providing support to terrorist groups involved in the Syria-Iraq conflict, including through funding and facilitation or seeking to travel to join these groups. The most important responsibility of a government is to protect its citizens, and that is what we are doing.