Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has brushed aside concerns raised by his former leadership rival Anthony Albanese about national security laws recently passed with Labor's support.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Albanese, who is Labor's spokesman for transport and infrastructure, said on the weekend that parts of the legislation aimed at curbing media reporting of spy agencies were "draconian".
He said there had not been enough parliamentary debate or scrutiny of the issue.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Shorten said Labor had not made a mistake in voting for the legislation.
"No I don't think so, we had a good discussion within the ranks before voting for this legislation," he told Sky.
"Over the weekend Anthony's made some comments, I understand the concerns about press freedom.
"I am confident that Labor is getting that balance right, I am confident that we are having the sorts of debates which the nation expects of its Parliament."
He said Labor was able to strengthen the public interest test by intervening on the first tranche of legislation recently passed, and the next tranche of legislation would be thoroughly scrutinised.
Monday marks one day since Mr Shorten became Opposition Leader having defeated Mr Albanese in a ballot after the last year's federal election.
Mr Shorten said "we're more united than we've ever been" but declined to say if Labor could win the next election in two years.
"Labor is getting its act together," he said. "There's a long way to go."
It's a marked change from the Opposition Leader who ten months ago declared Mr Abbott a 'oncer' prime minister.
