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

Yes, I can, Senator Bushby. The Commonwealth government has been working very closely in partnership with the state and territory governments as jurisdictional partners to improve Australia's national security legislation. We have done so in furtherance of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Counter-Terrorism Laws. Draft provisions have been the subject of consultation with states and territories via the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee.

As I mentioned a moment ago, I foreshadowed this legislation on 12 June. The National Security Committee of cabinet then approved proposals for inclusion in the bill in late June, and my department began drafting immediately. On 2 September, draft provisions of the bill were circulated to state and territory governments in order to commence consultation, and the Commonwealth has been responsive to proposals put forward by the states and territories.