Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition will also oppose amendments (30) and (31). Senator Feeney has covered the opposition’s points fairly well. I would just add that the safeguards exist in particular in schedule 4, subsection 3UEA. There are provisions in there—particularly provision 5, where in the course of searching the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds it is necessary to do so but only if two provisions apply: in order to protect a person’s life, health or safety; and without the authority of a search warrant because the circumstances are serious and urgent, not frivolous. I think these provisions are quite reasonable. They allow for a situation to take place where, first of all, life is going to be protected above and beyond anything else. Without those provisions, that could not take place. The other matters have been covered by the minister, and I do not propose to detain the Senate any further. We will certainly be opposing these two amendments.