QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE › Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Masjidain on 15 March 2019
Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Finance, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:44): Let me be very clear: our government condemns terrorism in all of its forms, has no tolerance for such behaviour and has no tolerance for any form of terrorism, right-wing, extremist or otherwise. Government and law enforcement agencies are committed to addressing such forms of terrorism. This year, I am advised, extreme right-wing individuals comprised between 30 and 40 per cent of ASIO's priority counterterrorism investigative subjects. Our agencies take these issues seriously, regardless of the ideology that may be the motivating factor or otherwise. Australia's counterterrorism legislative framework is agnostic towards ideology. As with all forms of terrorism, we continue to pursue investigative activities, disruptions and prosecutions, and invite the cooperation of all Australians to assist in doing so. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Faruqi, a final supplementary question?