Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to the answer that she gave to my previous question where she confirmed that the current security assessments were satisfactory. Is the Prime Minister's idea of satisfactory arrangements those that enabled an accused terrorist to be held at Inverbrackie detention centre for a year and an accused Sri Lankan murderer to be released into the community on a bridging visa? Is that the Prime Minister's idea of satisfactory?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To the deputy leader, let us be very clear about what happens with security checks and why I use the terminology 'satisfactory'. First and foremost, all asylum seekers are subject to the following security checks—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, no amount of screaming will change the facts and I am going to advise the parliament of the facts. All asylum seekers are subject to the following security checks, which are assessed against comprehensive intelligence holdings that compile information from the AFP, ASIO, Customs and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. This happens upon arrival, when being considered for community detention or release on a bridging visa E, when having been found to meet the definition of a refugee and when applying for a subsequent visa or citizenship. These are rigorous checks designed to identify visa applicants or visa holders whose entry into or continued stay in Australia may present a risk to national security.

During the course of this week in question time there has been some discussion of the recent review of the administration and expenditure of Australia's intelligence agencies tabled on Monday by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. Indeed, I think the Leader of the Opposition himself was talking up the significance and rigour of that report. I would remind the House that when it came to visa security, the joint committee that the Leader of the Opposition spoke so glowingly about found that 'it was satisfied that the current regime for visa security assessments is the correct one'.

Daryl Melham (Banks, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Phil Ruddock is on that committee, isn't he?

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the Deputy Leader of the Opposition seeking to table a document?

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Mr Melham interjecting—

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Banks is warned!

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has the call.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table the answers from the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship given at the Senate Estimates on 21 May that describe the security assessments as a 'light touch'.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The other day I did not agree to have House of Reps Hansard tabled in the House of Reps Hansard. I am less likely to agree to have Senate Hansard tabled in the House of Reps Hansard. No.