QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for the Environment and Water) (14:38): Thank you, Senator Hanson. Well, this government does absolutely take the safety of Australians as its utmost priority, and that's why, in relation to this cohort, we've provided no assistance whatsoever to enable these people to return to Australia. Now, I might point out to those chuckling and sniggering opposition members that that's exactly the same approach that was taken by the former government, although it is worth reminding the coalition that, when they were in office, they assisted the return of over 40 foreign fighters.

So people might like to be a little bit careful about claims that they're making right now. Senator Hanson, the end of your question talked about efforts that the government would take to stop people being released on bail. I'm not sure if you're suggesting that the government should intervene in decisions that are being taken by the courts.

That's obviously not something that this government supports, whether it be about this sort of situation or other situations. I can only assume that you're referring to the bill that you are seeking to introduce around temporary exclusion orders, and I remind you, as I said earlier today, that that bill is almost certain to be found unconstitutional by the High Court if it were passed by this parliament.

The current laws that we have in Australia, which were introduced by the coalition government, take the steps regarding temporary exclusion orders to the maximum limit they can be taken without falling foul of the Constitution. It's this government's view that we should not be passing laws that we know are unconstitutional, that we know will be struck down by the High Court and that we know actually put the safety of Australians at greater risk rather than removing that risk, and that is the approach that we are going to continue to take.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson, first supplementary?