Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If I may, I will take a moment of the House's time on indulgence. The whole world—and certainly millions of Australians—have been absolutely transfixed and horrified by the hostage-taking of some 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria. The organisation responsible, Boko Haram, is reportedly responsible in addition to this for the deaths of some 300 people in north-east Nigeria in various terrorist incidents. Today I announce that the government is taking steps to commence the process of banning Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation. In banning Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation, Australia will be acting consistently with Nigeria and also with our international partners, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Labor opposition is extremely concerned about the fate of more than 200 girls kidnapped from a boarding school in northern Nigeria in mid-April. This is truly a horrific situation. It would be every parent's worst nightmare. The President of Nigeria has called on the international community to do what we can to help rescue these girls. The opposition were advised that the government was considering making this listing immediately before question time today. We offer every support possible to the Abbott government. We must do all that we can to assist. I note the government's advice that it intends to consult on whether Boko Haram should be listed as a proscribed organisation under the Criminal Code. The opposition will approach this matter in a constructive and bipartisan way.