Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I'm not aware as to the details of the intervention in the case, nor am I aware as to whether or not the Human Rights Commission requires, for the exercise of its statutory functions, the permission of the Attorney-General. I would suggest that's probably unlikely, but I will ascertain whether in fact that is a requirement. But it is obviously an independent statutory body which is there, and has been there under both parties of government, to advocate within its remit.

I'd say more broadly that obviously this is a case that has overturned 20 years of precedent. We are examining it carefully, and I again assure the Senate and the Australian people that paramount in our response will be community safety.