David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

As I indicated previously when talking about the intent in section 14 subsection 11, wherein knowledge is specifically nominated as an element of the offence, publishing is a very important prohibition with respect to DSGL technology—there is no doubt about that. The minister has confirmed that inadvertent release of DSGL technology or the inadvertent dissemination, which may be the erroneous pressing of the send button, is not caught by the provision. You have been very clear on that, Minister, and I thank you for that. But in this day and age I think we need to be a little careful that we do cover this provision, this activity, this potential conduct. People do need to be aware that if they are dealing in DSGL technology as defined they need to be very, very careful what they do, because it may be that they will be fighting off an application or a prosecution for 10 years imprisonment or 2½ thousand penalty units or both. Minister, you have answered me with respect to the public interest, and I think that is a very nebulous, subjective term. The coalition will be supporting the government's amendment, because I think it is necessary.