Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the Senate. AFP resources were withdrawn from Hobart airport in 2014 following a review by the relevant department, not a budget cut as falsely asserted in the motion. This mirrors the decision in 2011 to withdraw the AFP's presence from Alice Springs Airport, which occurred under Labor.

Our national security situation is under constant review and assessment. If the risk profiles change, security settings will change accordingly. The Tasmanian Liberal Senate team has continually monitored the need for an AFP presence with the minister's office. Just last week the AFP advised the government that the risk profile for Hobart has, thankfully, not changed. The AFP is an operational agency and deploys their resources depending on the threat assessment. The government has full confidence in the AFP's assessment.

Question agreed to.