Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Labor will support the amended motion, but let's make clear that what the government just did was attempt to white out the advice of national security agencies. Mike Pezzullo, Secretary of Home Affairs, this week on Sky News said right-wing extremism is on the rise. ASIO has said it is on the rise. The AFP has said it is on the rise. The Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, said last week: 'Right-wing extremism is on the rise. It is the terrorist threat that we must confront'. This government has tried to downplay and dismiss it. That is what this amendment sought to do. Today Alex Hawke said, 'There is no rise in right-wing extremism.' What the government have done here today is attempt to white it out of this motion. Labor will support the amended motion, because, of course, we support taking action against extremism in all forms. What is embarrassing is that the government denies that it is happening.