Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank my colleagues for their contribution to this debate. Ensuring the safety and protection of the Australian community is a key priority for this government. The persistent and evolving threat faced by Australia's law enforcement and security agencies makes it critical they have access to effective tools and capabilities to counter the threat of terrorism. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment (Sunsetting of Special Powers Relating to Terrorism Offences) Bill 2019 ensures that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, ASIO, retains its strong counterterrorism capabilities while the government progresses more detailed reforms on ASIO's questioning and detention powers.

Following the review of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, the passage of this bill will extend the sunset date of ASIO's questioning and detention powers in division 3 of part III of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 for 12 months until 7 September 2020. I commend the bill to the House.

Question negatived.

Bill read a second time.

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