Bills

Statutes Amendment (Terrorism) Bill

Final Stages

Consideration in committee of the Legislative Council's amendment.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I move:

That the Legislative Council's amendment be agreed to.

Whilst the amendment that has been made in the council is, in my view, unnecessary, in order to have the matter proceed it is accepted.

Ms CHAPMAN: I do wish to make a comment in relation to the amendment and indicate that we welcome it from the other place. It was moved and accepted by all, except the government, for the two-yearly review of the legislation, which we are extending under the principal act for a period of 10 years. I wish to make this point: firstly, I thank the Legislative Council for giving consideration to this and insisting upon a review process. Various models were offered. This was the position that was ultimately agreed to and presented by parties other than the government.

The government had every opportunity, in asking the parliament to extend this legislation, which on the face of it was for good reasons, to disclose to the parliament that the extensions in other jurisdictions had in fact included a review period. We had had it under the principal act. It was the subject of an extension in another jurisdiction. It was granted with a review process and passed in that jurisdiction, and yet all through that there had been no disclosure by the government of having a review process.

We have that for good reason. It has been important in the development of this legislation and, in particular, a continuation of very strict rules in relation to an extension of power to police officers and the like to be able to deal with this scourge, namely, acts of terrorism. Luckily, South Australia has not faced the incidents that have been experienced in other states, but in light of the extended areas of threat, the real and present danger that is supported by other events that have occurred, we have acquiesced to a continuation of this legislation and supported the government in its passage.

Let it be absolutely clear: the opposition will not lie down and accept urgent legislation and extensions of powers unless there is full and complete disclosure by the government about what has actually happened in other jurisdictions. Let the government be absolutely on notice that we will not advance legislation at the whim of either its incompetence in advancing legislation that is about to expire or its delay in dealing with these matters without full disclosure. That is what we expect. That is what this parliament should expect, no less.

If we have to continue to rely on the Legislative Council in times that we have worked in good faith with the government then we will do so, but each time that happens the government can hang its head in shame and, furthermore, accept the blistering embarrassment of having to have amendments to bills which should not have occurred and been necessary in the first place. I support the amendment and thank the Legislative Council for its consideration.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I do not know that there is much I can say by way of response to the honourable member, except that it is a typical start to another Wednesday, I guess, but yes, I put it.

Motion carried.