Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Hindmarsh very much. He is part of our committee that looks at ways in which this government can make our society even safer for Australians. It is a very important job that he does. I want to say thank you very much to a couple of members, including the member for Bass, the member for Wannon and other members on our side of the House who have engaged very constructively in the way in which we can improve the Australian law to protect Australians. The reality is that since September of last year our country has faced two terrorist attacks. The authorities have thwarted six attacks, and 23 people have been charged with terrorist related offences. So the threat for us—the threat for the United Kingdom, for the United States and for other western democracies—only increases every single day. These people seek to attack our way of life. They seek to destroy the lives of innocent Australians. And this government intends to stop them. We have said through this legislation in relation to dual nationals that if they are terrorists, if they seek to do harm to the Australian public, we will do whatever we can under this law to prevent them from coming back to Australia. If they are convicted of an offence in Australia then there is, by their own conduct, an automatic renunciation of their Australian citizenship. If it is the case that they are involved in a situation of fighting for or serving with a particular proscribed organisation there is, by their own conduct, an automatic renunciation of their Australian citizenship. These are very important principles. They adhere to the rule of law, they align us with our international obligations and they really, I think, provide a great opportunity to keep the Australian public safe.

Mr Dreyfus interjecting—

I hear interjections by the member for Isaacs. His contribution to this debate has been particularly interesting. I am glad you interjected, because we are going to expose you for the fraud that you are, member for Isaacs.

Mr Dreyfus interjecting—

The Leader of the Opposition had the opportunity to stab two Prime Ministers in the back and he will not stand up to this bloke who wants to bring these—

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