MARK DREYFUS
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL SECURITY LEGISLATION MONITOR TOO IMPORTANT TO BE SUBJECT TO LIBERAL GAMES
The Morrison Government must move to appoint a new Independent National Security Legislation Monitor before the retirement of Dr James Renwick SC next week.
It is farcical that just days before Dr Renwick's term expires on 30 June, the Government has yet to announce a replacement.
We've seen this script before. In 2014, the Liberal Government sought to abolish the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor completely. And then, when Labor's opposition and a public backlash forced them to abandon that plan, the Government sought to achieve the same objective through the backdoor by leaving the position vacant for over eight months.
Labor created the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor in 2010 to review and report on the operation and effectiveness of Australia's national security and counter-terrorism laws. Since then, the Monitor has produced a number of significant reports recommending improvements to a range of counter-terrorism and national security laws.
The Monitor has rightly been described as an important and valued component of Australia's national security architecture. The Monitor helps to maintain the confidence of the Australian people in our security and intelligence agencies by ensuring that our laws are effective, fit for purpose and contain appropriate safeguards for protecting the rights of individuals. The position is modelled on a similar institution in the United Kingdom which has operated successfully for two decades.
Its worth remembering that the Morrison Government is obliged by law to fill this important position. Any lengthy delay in doing so is unacceptable and would, once again, demonstrate the Morrison Governments contempt for the Parliament and for basic principles of good governance.
Our national security is too important to be subject to these Liberal political games.
The Morrison Government should immediately announce a replacement for Dr Renwick and ensure this vital position does not once again lapse under the Liberals watch.
TUESDAY, 23 JUNE 2020
