Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The government are as offended as parents are around the country, because the Leader of the Opposition stood in here last week and said that he would assist us in relation to these matters in any way he could, and yet this week he demonstrates that he will not support us on these very important matters. Labor say that it's a principle issue for them—that they won't support any mandatory sentencing. The fact is that the Labor Party have supported mandatory sentencing in relation to terrorism related offences. They have supported in Victoria mandatory sentencing for people that commit assaults against emergency services workers and they have supported mandatory sentencing in relation to people-smuggling offences as well. So I would just say that the Leader of the Opposition needs to reconsider his position. We are all absolutely committed to seeing the original bill, with its original intent, go back into the Senate and be supported, which the Labor Party did not do last night.

This came yesterday on a day of great shame for the Australian Labor Party, where Mr Orkopoulos was again charged with offences. All I would say is: think of those victims when you make these dreadful decisions. (Time expired)

Opposition members interjecting—

Mr Dutton interjecting—

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