James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. When was the Prime Minister first briefed on the discovery of a caravan in Dural, New South Wales, that was packed with explosives allegedly intended to target Sydney's Jewish community?

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

Senator Paterson, in answer to your question, I think the Prime Minister has responded to that on numerous occasions. I would refer you to that answer. I know that this is a very important investigation. I know that it is very important that, regardless of people's political positions, the police be empowered to do their job. What we want is for all those responsible to be identified, to be apprehended and to face the full force of the law. The approach we will take to this issue will be to observe the appropriate protocols, and we will continue to support the police in the job they are doing.

I would say that I understand why members of the Jewish community are feeling distressed and feeling unsafe, given what we have seen. I hope that the parliament today indicating its position together and the police continuing to pursue those who are responsible will be of some comfort. But the most important thing is for Australia as a community to come together and to show solidarity with the Jewish community but also to make clear how unacceptable this sort of hatred is anywhere and certainly on Australian streets.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Paterson, first supplementary?

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister is right that the Prime Minister has addressed it; he just hasn't answered it. When was the first time that a minister in your government was briefed on the caravan incident?

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

I again refer to my earlier answer and say again to Senator Paterson that I understand why the opposition has tried to keep political focus on this. I, for one, think the political focus should be on making sure people are apprehended and making sure people face the full force of the law, because the safety of the community is most advanced by ensuring that that is what occurs. Certainly that's the approach the government will take. We don't comment on operational matters regarding national security. You would know that we take a mature, considered approach to these matters. We are regularly briefed by national security agencies. We don't think it's helpful for anyone to be undermining the good work of the police by playing politics with this investigation, or any investigation.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Paterson, second supplementary?

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Justin Bassey from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute wrote in the Australian on Monday:

… 'operational details' cannot be a catch-all excuse to deflect legitimate scrutiny or hide truth.

Why is it that your government is unwilling to disclose when you were briefed on this issue while the New South Wales Premier has been happy to do so?

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

We take our advice from national security agencies, not from former Liberal staffers.