‘Enemy of the state’: Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt in fiery clash over ASIO powers

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has labelled a rival MP as an ‘enemy of the state’ during a fiery clash in parliament over terror laws.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton labelled Greens leader Adam Bandt an “enemy of the state” during a fiery exchange over proposed new ASIO powers.

Terror suspects as young as 14 could face compulsory interrogations if the controversial intelligence powers in the government bill are passed on Thursday.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is also pushing for the ability to track cars without a warrant.

The bill would allow ASIO officers to use “slap-on devices” – portable trackers that are easily attached to cars via magnets – on the authorisation of senior ASIO officers or the Attorney-General.

The move would bring ASIO’s powers in line with the Australian Federal Police, who use the devices.

Mr Bandt has accused the government of an attempted power grab, saying the proposal would give the Attorney-General unfettered power.

Adam Bandt has accused the government of a power grab over proposed new ASIO powers. Picture: Sam Mooy / Getty Images

“This last-minute piece of legislation is being rushed through (and) should send a shiver down the spine of people who think that Australia is a place where you have the right provided that you’re not breaking the law, you have the right to go about your business freely,” he said.

He has demanded Labor vote against the laws if it failed to secure amendments. Labor is pushing for a safeguard requiring ASIO to obtain a judge’s approval before compulsory interrogations.

Mr Dutton was forced to withdraw an unparliamentary comment referring to Mr Bandt as an “enemy of the state” over the criticisms.

“People will take it at face value and discount it as an appalling contribution,” he said.

Peter Dutton withdrew comments calling Mr Bandt an ‘enemy of the state’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“You (Mr Bandt) make Australians unsafe through your pathetic contributions and your stances in relation to these matters.”

The laws would also grant ASIO the power to compulsorily interrogate 14-year-old terror suspects, down from 16 years of age. But under government amendments, the Attorney-General would be obligated to consider the welfare of the child as “a primary consideration” in deciding whether to approve an interrogation.

The bill would remove ASIO’s power to detain suspected terrorists for a week without charge.

The proposal has raised concerns the new powers are an overreach and could be open to abuse. The Law Council of Australia urged the government to reinstate judicial oversight.

“Extraordinary powers require extraordinary safeguards,” it said in a statement.

“If a compulsory questioning regimen is to be retained for ASIO, judicial authorisation is the single-most important safeguard that could and should be added.

“The parliament has an immediate opportunity to enshrine that safeguard today by supporting this amendment. If the amendment is passed, on the final day of sittings for 2020, we will not have to wait another three years to correct a glaring omission that could be addressed right now.”