National Security

Opened the debate

Hanson argued that the safety of Australians was the parliament's primary responsibility and that the government had failed to act on the threat posed by ISIS fighters. Hanson highlighted that thirteen men linked to ISIS, including Tareq Kamleh, were held in a Baghdad prison and might soon be released. Hanson contended that the Protecting Australians from Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill was necessary to create new exclusion orders and strengthen terrorism bail laws. Hanson asserted that the government was hiding behind constitutional advice and that the High Court should determine the law's validity rather than delaying action.

Government response

Watt clarified that the motion sought to suspend standing orders to debate the bill, which would disrupt Senate business. Watt stated that the government did not support suspending standing orders and confirmed that it provided no assistance to individuals seeking to return to Australia. Watt argued that the proposed bill was unconstitutional and would be invalidated by the High Court, thereby exposing Australians to greater risk. Watt maintained that existing temporary exclusion order laws already went to the maximum extent permissible under the Constitution.