The Opposition welcomes the Government’s decision to establish a Joint Statutory Defence Committee, as recommended by the 'War Powers’ Inquiry into International Armed Conflict Decision Making.

Shadow Minister for Defence, the Hon Andrew Hastie MP, has long called for a joint parliamentary committee on Defence with the same secrecy provisions as the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Mr Hastie wrote to the Defence Minister last year with this request and is pleased the Government is progressing with the proposal.

The Coalition offers bipartisan support on matters of defence and national security and awaits a briefing from the Government on their proposal and consultation on the required legislation.