David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Hansard source

I know the hotline has been the subject of considerable ridicule from those opposite. 1800123400 is the actual number, for those over there who are interested in the subject.

With terrorism, the government is confronted with the proposition of defeating the act before it happens, so intelligence is absolutely crucial to protecting the Australian community. This tool has been vital. There have been 100,000 calls from members of the community who have taken the time to get on the phone to talk to the government about something they have observed as being worth drawing the government’s attention to. I think it is a very substantial tool.

We had undertaken to promote the hotline again prior to the attacks in the United Kingdom on airports, which we are all aware of. This is a vital tool, it is an inexpensive tool and it enables people anonymously to alert the government to things that they see happening in the community. Every detail helps—and that is the name of the current program we are running. I thank the senator for her question and the opportunity to put these matters, which are very important, before the Senate. The current threat level is medium, which means that, while there is no specific threat, a threat could occur at any time.