Information Minister Robert Morgan
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Minister Robert Morgan
By Nakinskie Robinson
Information Minister Robert Morgan is defending the government's decision to delay the tabling of the Enhanced Security Measures Act (ESMA) in Parliament, citing issues regarding constitutionality of some sections.
This comes amid scrutiny surrounding the extended use of States of Public Emergency and the opposition's push for the government to utilise a more effective and long term crime fighting tool.
Asked about the legislation, Minister Morgan said there is "dispute among legal minds as to certain aspects of a draft ESMA that has caused the delay".
"We will not be putting a bill in front of Parliament that has questions as it relates to constitutionality. And so it's not for a want of trying, but the attorneys have to sit down and they have to work out the best formulation so that when an ESMA does come, it is constitutionally sound, and that's very important," he insisted.
In August, Opposition Spokesman on National Security Senator Peter Bunting accused the government of incompetence over the delay in tabling legislation aimed at addressing the country's serious crime issues.
The draft Act, promised in 2019, is yet to be tabled in the House of Representatives.
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