‘Everyone in this parliament opposes terrorism’: Albanese

22/07/2019

The Coalition will this week attempt to push its counter-terrorism bill through parliament, which would ban individuals from returning to Australia for two years if they pose an ongoing security risk. As politicians returned to Canberra on Monday, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann told reporters ‘the Labor Party needs to decide which side they’re on’. ‘We are on the side of keeping Australians safe,’ he said. Labor and the Center Alliance have raised concerns over the proposed laws, and while the Opposition supports the legislation in principle, it has flagged possible amendments. Mr Cormann’s remarks provoked a strong response from Labor Leader Anthony Albanese, who said ‘what the government with statements like that does is actually undermine the bipartisan process’. ‘The fact is everyone in this parliament opposes terrorism; everyone in this parliament wants to keep Australians safe,’ Mr Albanese said.