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

The way in which the Labor Party want to challenge the competence, the efficiency of the AFP is disgraceful. The Labor Party have no basis for the claims they are making. We know that we have provided the Australian Federal Police with record levels of funding. We know that they are intercepting drugs on a scale unprecedented, but, of course, I note the challenge, the threat is also unprecedented.

And when we ask the Labor Party for some real support in this place on law enforcement, where do they stand? Where do Labor stand on punishing people who commit sexual offences against children? We've asked for mandatory sentences. Do you know why? We want to make sure they go to jail—that's why. We want to make sure they go to jail, whereas Labor won't support that. Perhaps they can explain why they won't support mandatory sentences for some of the most disgusting crimes in the criminal calendar.

Ms Rishworth interjecting—

What about guns? What about gun trafficking? What about gun runners and gun smugglers? We want there to be mandatory sentences for them too, because we want to make sure they go to jail. We want to make sure there is the strongest deterrent message and that they are punished. Where is Labor on that? It is nowhere to be seen. Why won't Labor support us in putting paedophiles and gun runners behind bars?

See this speech in context