Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—President, I acknowledge the statement you have made. The security breaches that occurred in this building today are deeply troubling and should be troubling to all occupants of this building in relation to the images that were projected around the nation and potentially the world as well as troubling in relation to what it indicates in terms of the security of this workplace and this environment.

While acknowledging that it is the responsibility of the Australian Federal Police and law enforcement authorities to undertake their investigations independently and to make decisions about prosecutions independently, I am sure I speak for many senators who would wish to see the full force of the law applied to individuals involved.

It is also I am sure the expectation of many senators that there be a full and thorough investigation into how this occurred—how these security breaches occurred, how it is that the banners and other materials were able to be accessed and used by the protestors in this way and, in those investigations, whether any persons or passholders provided any assistance to those individuals.

The impact and the images of the hanging of an antisemitic message and messages from the front of our nation's parliament is a stain on this parliament. These were shameful acts. These were repugnant slogans. And they do those who offended no credit. They bring shame to them. But to those people around Australia and the world who may be offended, and deeply so, at what they saw hanging from our parliament today, we say that we stand with them and in support of them.