Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I can understand why the Leader of the National Party does not want me to go down that track; it is too embarrassing for them. I refer the Leader of the National Party to my answers across this parliamentary fortnight where I have detailed the facts about ASIO resourcing, as opposed to the opposition's fear campaign; where I have detailed the facts about what we can do to inquire into this matter, as opposed to the silly proposal from the opposition to try and give it to a parliamentary committee without power; where we have dealt with the facts of our relationship with Indonesia, rather than silly claims being made by the opposition; where we have dealt with independent expert advice on asylum seeker and refugee claims, which the opposition refuses to countenance and refuses to listen to.

So I suggest to the Leader of the National Party: (1) our nation is served well by our security agencies, (2) in relation to this particular matter, the person in question was always in detention and (3) I believe that it is appropriate for the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to look at the matter, and that is why I have asked her to do so.

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