Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. How is the Albanese Labor government Australia safe? How is this approach different from other approaches?

Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could it be any more different!

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Moncrieff is warned. It is highly disorderly to interject before I call a minister.

The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs has the call.

Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Straight under the bus!

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Herbert will leave the chamber under 94(a).

The member for Herbert then left the chamber.

I want to be crystal clear with everyone: the time to interject is not before a minister speaks or during the question. The minister has the call.

Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For all of us on this side of the House, we take community safety very, very seriously.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In fact, it is our utmost priority—as can be demonstrated by the behaviour of those opposite, who never miss an opportunity to divide or deflect. Unlike them, we are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to protect the community. The ABF and the AFP have been working closely with state and territory authorities—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Deakin is warned.

Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and law enforcement to ensure community safety. I recognise that the work they have been doing in recent weeks has been absolutely exceptional, and I thank them for their hard work.

I also say that the legislation we've introduced today will make our laws more durable and get ahead of any future challenges. And this bill will make strong laws even stronger by creating new offences which deal with recently released detainees, including by making it an offence for some to work with another person who is a minor or another vulnerable person; an offence for going near a school, childcare centre or daycare centre; and an offence for an individual to contact their victim or their victim's family. We're doing this because it matters. We're doing this—and this is really important—because it's not talking tough that keeps Australians safe; it's strong laws and a relentless focus on compliance—two things that members opposite know very little about.

I'm asked about contrasts. I see reports in the media today that Liberal frontbencher Dean Smith wrote a letter requesting that a convicted paedophile be released from detention. Liberal frontbencher Senator Smith knew the seriousness of this man's offending but requested he be released anyway. Senator Smith wrote:

I also believe that in the time that has past, (the man) has demonstrated significant repose and repentance, alongside ongoing rehabilitation with the active support and guidance of the … community of WA.

He was saying this about a man convicted in 2015 of sex with a girl aged between 13 and 16 and who has subsequently had his visa cancelled.

Contrast this to the resolve we are showing, making tough laws tougher, strong laws stronger and, fundamentally, fixing the mess left by those opposite, particularly by the Leader of the Opposition—the man who is always talking loud and saying nothing. (Time expired)