George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, Senator Bushby, I can. As you know, there is a process which the legislation provides for. Prior to listing the Mosul district, the government actively engaged with Australia's Muslim community and our international counterparts. The foreign minister discussed the declaration of Mosul with our Iraqi counterparts, including during the Iraqi foreign minister's recent visit to Australia. We must show our support to the Iraqi government in our common fight against ISIL. We also consulted with local community groups to ensure they know we are here to protect them from those predators who seek to recruit their young men and women to fight in foreign wars.

Finally—and Senator Bushby would be aware of this—the legislation sets out various other procedural steps that are necessary for the foreign minister to arrive at the view that she must hold before making a declaration. One of those steps is to consult the opposition, and that has been done as well.