Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Patrick. I'll take most of what you said there as commentary, not so much as a question. But I can confirm that this legislation makes no changes at all to the Governor-General's responsibilities. Yes, you are right—you're testing my knowledge, going back to exercise Mercury 04. However, what I can say is that the bill has been delayed in commencement for six months to allow for a series of exercises to occur between federal and state agencies to make sure that they are trained and that they understand the operation of these new provisions. In relation to the Governor-General, while I can't tell you the outcomes of the 2004 exercise, I can tell you that the Governor-General is fully briefed on the arrangements for authorising call-out of the ADF under section IIIAAA of the Defence Act, including the Governor-General's role, which, as I confirm, has not changed under this legislation.