Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Sterle, for those comments. Unfortunately, all I can say is that I have actually answered those questions. I don't have anything additional I can present to you that would build on my previous comments. What I would say is that I think this government has shown time and time again that we are committed to keeping Australia and Australians safe.

In terms of the particular bill that we have before us today, this is all about preventing—and you've referred to it—serious criminal influence and activity from occurring at our security controlled airports, seaports and offshore facilities. What we've seen, particularly just last week with Operation Ironside, which gained global media attention, is that organised criminals are taking advantage where they can, and the Morrison government is doing everything it can to stop them. Serious crime, as you've acknowledged, is a major threat to our way of life. In fact, the figure that I have been given is that it costs Australia more than $47 billion a year. Again, as you articulated, it causes enormous human suffering. Our airports and seaports are vectors for the importation of illicit substances and weapons, as you referred to in your contribution to the Senate. That is why the government has introduced this particular piece of legislation to ensure that Australia's transport security sector is no longer a safe haven for serious criminal activity.

We've had a number of years now to consider this legislation. What we are calling on Labor to do today is show that you will join with us to show the Australian people that you are also serious about stopping organised crime by supporting the timely passage of this bill through the Australian Senate. As Senator Pauline Hanson, on behalf of One Nation, stated, 'We need to stop organised criminals getting access to our wharfs and our airports.' The bill is a very simple bill, and it very much goes to the commitment that the Morrison government has to keeping Australia and Australians safe.