Kimberley Kitching (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. In an article entitled 'Let us spy on Aussies', The Daily Telegraph revealed that the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs has proposed, in a letter to the secretary of Defence, expanding the powers of the Australian Signals Directorate to enable it to spy on Australian citizens. When asked about the report, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, said, 'There is no plan.' The Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton, has said in relation to the proposal, 'There is a case to be made.' As the minister responsible for the Australian Signals Directorate, can the minister tell the Senate which position reflects the government's position: Minister Bishop's or Minister Dutton's?