David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

SHOEBRIDGE () (): Surely removing witness protection could have serious consequences to the witness, including death and serious injury? I'm unable to understand why the government didn't accept the recommendation of the higher threshold before witness protection is removed. It's one thing to say that the witness's behaviour may limit the ability of the AFP to provide the protection. But surely withdrawing the protection is a far more drastic step. I can't understand, from the government's response, why that higher threshold wasn't adopted. If the witness's behaviour may have a marginal impact in limiting the ability to provide that protection, the idea that the AFP commissioner could withdraw witness protection in those circumstances and potentially see someone exposed to deathly threats seems wrong in policy.