Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

Any extension of the powers of our intelligence agencies needs to have appropriate scrutiny by politicians, the Australian community and key stakeholders such as the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security. For this reason, Labor welcomes the fact that the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2014 has now been referred to Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and that there will now be an inappropriate period for the public and key stakeholders to also comment on the significant changes being proposed. With respect to the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, I welcome Senator Brandis's announcement yesterday that the government is backing down on its plan to abolish that office. Labor fought against the abolition of this important role. While we do not support Senator Ludlam's motion today, if an appropriately credentialed and experienced monitor can be appointed expeditiously by the government, Labor would certainly welcome the new monitor's views on the bill that is proposed.