General Debate

National Security

House of Representatives · Monday 28 July 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate centred on a motion moved by the Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, which criticised the government for restructuring the Home Affairs portfolio and called for an apology. Opposition members argued that these changes weakened national security coordination, citing delays in terrorist listings and issues during the Dural caravan incident. Government members defended the machinery-of-government changes as necessary for better information sharing and coordination, rejecting claims of incompetence. The debate highlighted contrasting views on the effectiveness of the previous coalition government's security architecture versus the current government's approach.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Andrew Hastie (Canning) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Hastie moved the motion, arguing that the government dismantled the Home Affairs portfolio for factional reasons rather than national security needs. Hastie claimed that moving agencies like the Australian Federal Police and ASIO out of Home Affairs created bureaucratic delays and confusion, particularly regarding terrorist listings. Hastie cited the Dural caravan incident as evidence that the new structure failed at a critical time. Hastie called on the government to apologise for prioritising party politics over the protection of Australians.

Josh Burns (Macnamara) (Australian Labor Party) ALP oppose

Burns rejected the motion, arguing that the opposition ignored intelligence advice on social cohesion and engaged in divisive politics. Burns stated that the government had successfully prescribed far-right terrorist organisations for the first time. Burns urged the opposition to focus on unity rather than culture wars and internal party conflicts.
Melissa Price (Durack) (Liberal Party) Liberal support

Price supported the motion, asserting that the government's initial dismantling of Home Affairs was a mistake that they were now forced to reverse. Price highlighted the Prime Minister's admission that information sharing failed during the Dural caravan incident. Price also criticised the removal of intelligence agencies from the National Security Committee of Cabinet, replacing them with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy.
Gordon Reid (Robertson) (Australian Labor Party) ALP oppose

Reid defended the government's record, claiming that Labor has strengthened national security through investment in cybersecurity and border protection. Reid argued that the previous coalition government left the department bloated and reactive, with poor morale and oversight. Reid stated that the current government balances security with democratic values and does not politicise intelligence.
Michael McCormack (Riverina) (National Party) Nationals support

McCormack supported the motion, defending Hastie's military credentials and arguing that the government had eroded the Home Affairs portfolio. McCormack cited the Dural caravan incident and live-firing exercises off the coast as examples of security failures. McCormack claimed that the process for listing terrorist organisations had become sluggish and convoluted under the current government.
Shayne Neumann (Blair) (Australian Labor Party) ALP oppose

Neumann argued that the machinery-of-government changes were routine and necessary for better coordination, citing support from security experts at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Neumann criticised the previous government for internal factional disputes during the creation of Home Affairs and for poor administration of visas. Neumann stated that the government made no apologies for steps taken to ensure Australia's safety.
Andrew Wallace (Fisher) (Liberal National Party) LNP support

Wallace supported the motion, claiming that the government gutted Home Affairs in an institutional power grab. Wallace argued that terrorist listings took up to 60 days under the new system, compared to a few days under the previous government. Wallace also expressed concern that the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security had not been formed promptly.