Kerry Nettle (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Minchin. What involvement do Commonwealth agencies such as ASIO and the Australian Federal Police have in the preparation of the APEC black list of citizens that bans people from being in most of the CBD of Sydney? Does the government support the creation of the list? How will somebody know whether they are on the list and why don’t they have a right of appeal about their placement on the list? Am I or any other member of parliament on the black list for APEC?

Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not have a brief on that matter, although I am happy to find out as much as I can for Senator Nettle. If I can find it by the end of question time I will give her an answer then, but I do not have any information on that matter at the moment.

Kerry Nettle (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister outline what role the Australian Defence Force will have in APEC in relation to protesters? In particular, will the special powers within the Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill, including the Army’s shoot to kill powers, be evoked for APEC?

Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will seek a definitive answer for Senator Nettle on that matter. I accept APEC is going to be a very significant event in the history of this country. My understanding is that the New South Wales Police will be responsible for ensuring law and order with respect to APEC, and we are providing specific funding to the New South Wales police to enable them to perform that task. Obviously the Australian military will have a role in the protection of the leaders of government who will be here, and we have some of the world’s most significant heads of government coming to Sydney. The military will have a role in their protection because they all are potentially vulnerable, but the New South Wales Police will be primarily responsible for law and order in the streets of Sydney with respect to the APEC meeting. I will obtain further information as available.