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

I can tell you I have discussed this with my counterpart ministers in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom and Canada, and the laws of those two jurisdictions are more far-reaching than the laws proposed that have been introduced and are proposed for further introduction by this government. At all times, we are very, very conscious to craft our national security laws in a way that is optimal and that gives as much protection to the community as the community demands while at the same time remains respectful of the rights of the individual and the rule of law. That is why these powers have always been hedged by safeguards—safeguards proposed by the government and further safeguards recommended in a constructive and bipartisan fashion by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.