Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. So we have asked the opposition to support these tougher sentences to help us stamp out gun smuggling, the illegal traffic in guns, that provides the weapons that are used in the vast majority of gun crimes—figures of well over 90 per cent, in fact, when I say the 'vast majority'. So, if the opposition is serious about the fair, appropriate and efficient regulation of guns to keep Australians safe, they would back us. But, no; as usual, far from being interested in principle, they are more interested in politics.

Turning to the specific question, I have made inquiries of my ministers and I can say to the House that, as a result of those inquiries, I am satisfied that the Minister for Justice acted in the full knowledge of the Prime Minister's office at that time.

Mr Watts interjecting—

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