Mr BEAZLEY (2:42 PM) —My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and follows the answer that he gave to my previous question, and I refer to that earlier answer. Is the minister telling the House that Mr Palmer will not undertake any investigation or inspection unless there is an act of terrorism? Minister, won’t that investigation be a bit late?

Mr ANDERSON (Minister for Transport and Regional Services) —I plainly said that the taking forward of the government’s aviation and transport security matters is the responsibility of the Office of Transport Security. They give me regular reports on what is happening; they make regular recommendations. And I confirm that, as I said, the part-time office of Inspector of Transport Security was set up by the government at my request so that we would have someone to review—

Mr Albanese —Nobody actually investigates!

The SPEAKER —The member for Grayndler!

Mr ANDERSON —an incident in relation to terrorism if one should happen. If you cannot see that the robust arrangements that the government has put in place to prevent a terrorist attack are enormous, world-class, monitored, regularly audited and taken forward then you are not listening.

Mr Albanese —We just cannot believe what we are hearing!

The SPEAKER —The member for Grayndler is warned!

Mr ANDERSON —I will make the point again that we felt that a ‘belts and braces’ application of this office might be wise so that, should a terrorism incident happen in Australia, we would have an appropriate person who could investigate, pick up any lessons that needed to be learnt and ensure that they could be readily applied in the circumstances, while all the other authorities would be very likely dealing with an emergency.