Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

In relation to the urgency: absolutely, the government believes that this is an urgent threat and it is important that we have legislation in place to deal with that threat as quickly as possible. Obviously, by-elections are major exercises in democracy. So, where we've been in a situation where we don't have strengthened laws, obviously that provides potential for interference in our democratic processes. So, whether it's the by-elections coming up or any other democratic event beyond that, this legislation is urgent and the government absolutely maintains that. That's why we believe it's important that it's passed through the Senate as quickly as possible.