[flashman]

Not to be too ad hominem, but the man who said this is a former rugby league player known as "the brick with eyes" and not generally well-known for his national security expertise.

[caf]

And who, it must be said, is not a member of the government either.

[beedogs]

He's a senator. He's part of the government, whether or not he's part of the ruling party.

[tacticus]

Well he is a member of the government but not the governing party (just their stooge)

[tomcorrigan]

Nope. He is a member of parliament but definitely not a member of government. There is an important distinction.