Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

The government will be opposing this motion. The government is committed to ensuring our democracy strikes the right balance between a free press and keeping Australians safe—two fundamental tenets of our democracy. That is why the Prime Minister has already written to the Leader of the Opposition, outlining an inquiry into law enforcement and intelligence powers on the freedom of the press. The government considers it appropriate that the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security conduct that inquiry. The PJCIS is well placed to conduct that inquiry, given its responsibility for and experience in handling issues concerning national security information and legislation. We call on all senators to join the government in opposing this motion.