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

In relation to this particular bill, I would have to check, but I can certainly give you an assurance, because I recollect the many conversations that I have had over the more than three years now since I became the Attorney-General, that on many occasions there have been proposals which have been raised and discussed and rejected by me. I was not kidding, Senator Leyonhjelm, last night when I said that I take very seriously the obligation to find the right balance between appropriate extension of the laws to the protection of community safety on the one hand and laws that impinge upon established liberties on the other. So, in relation to this particular bill, I do not recall that there were. There may have been—I will check. But, in relation to the various tranches of counterterrorism legislation starting in the latter half of 2014, I can absolutely give you that assurance, yes.