One does not need security clearance to discuss the actual important things like economics, social issues, and everything else publicly available.
One cannot be Prime Minister with out extensive security clearances. If The leader of the opposition wants to play this game he will effectively never be able to become PM even if he gets elected. My guess is that he is currently cleaning house before election season to ensure he can be cleared and "Lay the lie to rest" about why he never got clearances before.
Things that require clearances are not things that should be discussed in public, that is why they require clearance. The way our officials and leaders are treating intelligence operations and institutions is a damn joke and we will be lucky to keep our place in sharing alliances after this. Even if he got cleared he couldn't do anything with the "facts" and he can do more without the facts legally.
The problem is the bullshit is working and I am very disappointed in my fellow humans occupying this country.