Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Lambie for her contribution. The government does acknowledge Senator Lambie's concern regarding public reporting of the identities of former special forces personnel. The Australian government is thankful to every Australian who chooses to serve in the ADF. ADF members are asked to perform at the highest standards in the most complex, challenging and demanding environments. Australia's highest standards also extend to accountability for war crimes.

Australia has a robust legal framework in place to ensure that alleged perpetrators of war crimes are properly investigated and prosecuted. Senator Lambie's concern goes to a matter of defence policy about the protection of the identities of ADF members. That is a matter absolutely worth discussing and considering, but the government's view is that it's not a matter appropriately dealt with in the legislation before the Senate this morning. If Senator Lambie wishes to pursue this matter through a private senator's bill, she would, of course, be welcome to do so, and it would be considered by the government in the usual way. But, for those reasons, we won't support the amendment moved by Senator Lambie.