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. Yesterday the Prime Minister was asked when he was first advised of the planned mass-casualty terror attack against Sydney's Jewish community, as to which he told the House:

We don't go out there and brief about National Security Committee meetings. We don't discuss those details, because it's an ongoing investigation.

The Australian revealed today at least six occasions when the Prime Minister has publicly disclosed NSC meetings or intelligence and security briefings, including following the Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing. Minister, why is it appropriate for the Prime Minister to discuss briefings and NSC meetings about the Adass firebombing but not the incident in Dural?

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

Well, I have said previously in this place that I'm not going to comment on operational matters regarding national security. What we want to do, and what we all—

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Cash.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's a point of order in relation to relevance. We tolerated these answers yesterday, but I can assure you today—

A government senator interjecting—

When you were in government, you made it clear—the minister made it clear—

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

Senator Cash, you're now debating.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is not an operational—

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

Senator Cash, resume your seat. You are now debating. The minister is being relevant to the question. Minister Wong, please continue.

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

Senator Paterson, I think you did ask me this question yesterday—or it might have been one of your colleagues; I'm sorry; I can't recall which—and the answer I gave yesterday will be the answer I give today, and the reason for that is that our focus is ensuring that we can support the police in delivering—

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

Minister Wong, resume your seat. Senator Cash.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, the point of order is in relation to relevance. Disclosing the date of when the Prime Minister was briefed cannot possibly be categorised as being prejudicial or confidential.

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

Senator Cash—

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would ask you to draw the minister's attention to the question.

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

Senator Cash, you've called a point of order. You are now getting into the substance of the question. The minister is being relevant to the question.

Senator McKenzie! I do not need your running commentary.

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

I will note that the New South Wales police themselves have made clear that the publication of information around this investigation has 'compromised our investigation and been detrimental to some of the strategies we may have used'. I certainly won't be adding to that, and I'm surprised Senator Paterson would add to that. I invite him to take a more responsible course than that being advocated by some of his colleagues.

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

Senator Paterson, a first supplementary?

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

The same article also revealed:

After the Wakeley church terror attack, Mr Albanese on April 16 said he had been briefed by Mr Kershaw and ASIO director-general Mike Burgess. Mr Albanese was also briefed by the AFP on July 12 last year about a Russian espionage case.

Why did the Prime Minister think it was appropriate to publicly speak about briefings from our security and operational agencies during ongoing investigations last year but not now?

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

I am surprised that Senator Paterson continues with this line of questioning when he has seen what the New South Wales police have said. I know that Mr Dutton is a reckless politician, but this is quite a reckless—

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order again in relation to relevance. It would be great if the Minister representing the Prime Minister could tell us why Chris Minns was able to be upfront with the Australian people and yet the Prime Minister is not. I would ask you to direct the minister to the question.

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

Senator Cash, you weren't happy with my last ruling. I've sought the advice of the Clerk. The minister is being relevant. That is also the advice of the Clerk this time, and it is my continuing advice. Minister Wong, please continue.

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

I know that Mr Dutton is a very reckless politician; very focused on his political strategy. This is about keeping Australians safe. If you were serious about keeping Australians safe, you would not play the political game that you are playing with an ongoing investigation.

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator McGrath, when you asked your question you quite rightly waited until there was silence, and I ensured there was silence. I have called order three or four times and you've simply shouted over the top of me. I'm asking and requesting that you be silent

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

Of course, there is immense hypocrisy from those opposite when Mr Dutton on Sunday confirmed he hadn't even asked for a brief.

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

Senator Paterson, a second supplementary?

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

Why is it that New South Wales Premier Minns can be upfront with the Australian people about when he knew about what could have been one of the most catastrophic acts of terror seen in Australia but the Prime Minister is unable to answer the same basic questions and is keeping Australians in the dark?

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

I would say this to you, Senator Paterson: you're right to make comments about the potential catastrophic incident, which is why it ought to be treated as seriously as we are treating it. Unlike some on your side, we want this investigation to find everyone who is associated with this activity, these events and what was found in Dural to be apprehended and to face the full force of the law. That's what we want. What you want and what Mr Dutton wants is a very different set of political strategies. We want to put Australians' safety first, and that is what we are doing.