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

I thank Senator Leyonhjelm for the question. It is a very important question. When Australia is on the international stage, as it will be between 14 and 17 November for the G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane, it will be an extremely important event for Australia. The leaders of the G20 countries do require and will need special security measures to be undertaken, so Queensland has enacted the G20 (Safety and Security) Act 2013 to ensure that police and other authorised persons have sufficient powers to maintain safety and security at the summit.

Senator, I do not think that any of the matters you have mentioned are particularly out of the ordinary, when I know some of the laws that I grew up with in Western Australia enabled the police to take on certain powers in certain circumstances. The Queensland act is similar to arrangements for previous special events in Australia, and I have a list of events including CHOGM in Perth and a New South Wales event in the recent past, APEC, in 2007. The powers under the Queensland act are exercisable for a very limited period and, indeed, they grandfather on 18 November. The powers—whilst they are very important and powerful matters empowering federal and state police—are entirely necessary and are specifically focused on security for the summit.

I do not believe, Senator—and I share your concerns when sweeping powers are given to authorities—these are offensive to the ordinary Australian way of understanding the distribution and exercise of authority in circumstances where we have the world's most powerful leaders in our country. (Time expired)