Allegra Spender (Wentworth, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to start by acknowledging that, as parliamentarians, our first and foremost responsibility is the safety of our communities. Following the High Court's decision that indefinite detention is unconstitutional, there is understandable concern about the potential risks to public safety from the release of some of those who were detained. I share those concerns. Some of the people in this cohort have committed serious offences in the past, including offences which are violent and sexual in nature. And so it is absolutely right that we have a serious and reasoned debate in this place about how to ensure public safety whilst adhering to the High Court judgement, which found that indefinite immigration detention is illegal. This is a complex issue, one which requires the parliament to weigh up individual liberty and community security and to find the appropriate balance. This is not an issue to politicise or rush.

Unfortunately, we did not have a serious and reasoned debate last time. We had wedge politics and fearmongering, and we had legislation rushed through in less than a day. This is not the appropriate way to determine laws that govern this country. So, given the rushed nature of the debate in this place just 11 days ago, I'm very disappointed to see the government do the same all over again. Other members of the crossbench and I were briefed on this legislation at 9.30 this morning, and yet we are being asked to debate and vote again on this bill on the very same day. We have just one hour for debate and a time limit of five minutes per speaker. The vast majority who will want to speak will not get a chance. It is not adequate. It is not a chance for debate.

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