Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

If I may, I will take a moment of the House's time on indulgence. The whole world—and certainly millions of Australians—have been absolutely transfixed and horrified by the hostage-taking of some 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria. The organisation responsible, Boko Haram, is reportedly responsible in addition to this for the deaths of some 300 people in north-east Nigeria in various terrorist incidents. Today I announce that the government is taking steps to commence the process of banning Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation. In banning Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation, Australia will be acting consistently with Nigeria and also with our international partners, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand.

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