John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

) ( Metadata and security is a very serious issue. As Senator Faulkner would be well aware, the government has put more than $600 million towards our security. Senator Lines is in the chamber and obviously, like a naughty student, she has been summoned to the principal's office for six of the best because of her comments yesterday. This is not a political game to be played—it is a very serious issue. There are some 100 Australians here in our nation assisting people overseas in areas like northern Iraq and Syria, where we see these inhumane and despicable actions being carried out and put on the internet for people to view. It is a serious issue and it is not a time to play politics. As you know, Mr Deputy President, the Australian Labor Party aligns with the government when it comes to the security of Australians. It is an issue first and foremost for anyone who sits in either of the chambers here in Canberra. It is quite amazing what those in ISIL are doing. We do not want that to grow. We do not want to have Australians—especially young Australians—being indoctrinated into participating in these disgraceful activities around the world. We need to keep our country safe.

When we talk about metadata and the retention of knowledge that helps our agencies like ASIO and the Federal Police, it takes me back to several years ago when five people were charged. Three were found guilty and locked up. Their goal was to shoot up those training in Holsworthy Army base. Thankfully, through the great work of our agents, that did not occur, and those culprits were charged, found guilty and locked up. What a terrible tragedy that would have been if something like that did occur. That is why it is important that the metadata be secured.

Metadata is information produced by the communication systems. When you are using, for example, mobile phones, the data notes whom you call, time of your discussion and how regularly you call that person. These details are great information for our agents to monitor and keep our nation safe. That is what this is all about. Metadata should be retained for the proposed two years. As David Irvine, the Director-General of ASIO, has said, 'Unless metadata storage practices are changed, law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts will be severely hampered.' We do not want to see those law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts severely hampered in this place. I do not think any one of us wants to see that. Our security agents have also been very clear that they do not want industry to be required to keep records about Australians' web-browsing. As part of our work to keep Australians safe from terrorism, consultations are starting with telecommunications providers about continuing to retain metadata. Our law enforcement agencies must have all the tools at their disposal to track down criminals and keep the community safe. That is what is most important here. It is not a political joke. It is not a political football to be kicked about. It is about keeping Australians safe and returning the world to peace.

I am alarmed when people like Senator Lines think we are using this as a deterrent from looking at budget questions. If that were the case, why isn't this a motion to take note of answers to budget questions? Why aren't there more questions about the budget? That is ironic in itself. Here we are, answering questions on metadata and security. It is a very serious issue.

As far as 18C goes, the government will not proceed with the proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 at a time when the threat to Australia from extremists is real and growing. That is most important We need to be a united country, to work together, to forward information—whatever people hear or see—to our agents and our police because we need to keep Australians safe. We need to do our utmost, working with our colleagues and our allies around the world, to see that we do our best to keep our nation safe.