Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

While I appreciate very much Senator Lambie's interest in and commitment to the set of issues that surround the central proposition that she has made, we are not in a position to support the amendments.

It is the case that the protected identity status is very important. It is not the case, Senator Lambie, that people who perform functions for ASIS are not in danger. In the passion of your comments, I don't think that's what you meant to convey. These issues are of importance. However, this bill is for the purposes of establishing a work authorisation permit system for former defence staff members seeking employment for or on behalf of a foreign government. It is not the right place for an amendment which goes to the protection of the identities of defence personnel.

The Defence policy known as the Defence Protected Identity status is afforded on an operational requirement basis to certain individuals who hold specific roles or work on specific operations in the ADF. As you know, this is to protect current sensitive defence capabilities and effects, our operations, the partners we operate with as well as to safeguard the security of individuals and their families. I can advise the chamber and Senator Lambie that, irrespective of whether a person holds a protected identity status or not, it is Defence policy and practice to only release official content or make public comment that will not compromise an individual's privacy, in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988. We are, of course, as Senator Lambie knows, happy to continue to engage on this set of questions with her in her office.