Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. I refer to the minister’s answer yesterday when he said the reason the AFP report entitled Strategic Intelligence Forecast—Transnational Criminal Trends and Threats to Australia could not be released was because it relates to operational matters. Can the minister explain how advice and commentary on government policy can be characterised as an operational matter? Will the minister clear these matters up once and for all and release the report?

Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for her question. Can I say to the House that we understand that the opposition are trying to score some points on these very important matters. We understand that despite the overwhelming evidence in relation to these matters, the reason why there has been an increase in arrivals is because of push factors. We know the opposition are very desperate to score some points. I say to the House that it is quite outrageous that she wants to call into question the character of the Australian Federal Police commissioner by suggesting—

Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Sustainable Development and Cities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Billson interjecting

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Whilst I might expect it from the member for O’Connor, I do not expect it from the member for Dunkley. It is not assisting.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker I raise a point of order that goes to relevance. The latest fig leaf of the minister was operational matters. He should answer the question—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member will resume his seat. The minister will respond to the question.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Pyne interjecting

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Sturt is warned.

Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I again repeat that at the Senate estimates hearing on 19 October 2009—2 days ago—AFP Commissioner Negus confirmed that the intelligence report in question has never been provided to ministers and, indeed, he stated that the report was an operationally focused document and it would be inappropriate for it to have been provided to ministers.