Philip Ruddock (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister update the House on the steps that the government is taking to deny—perhaps I should say starve—terrorists and terrorist organisations of the funds they need to continue fighting in Syria and Iraq?

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Berowra for his question and acknowledge his deep concern about this matter. In our support for the global fight against terrorism, in addition to the military support that we are providing to the Iraqi government through our airstrikes, announced last year; the 170 special forces, announced last year; and the announcement made today about the building partner capacity initiative, this government is determined to starve terrorist organisations, such as Daesh, of all support, including the funds and resources they need to carry out these wanton acts of violence in Syria, Iraq and beyond.

If Daesh, through its illegitimate claims of a caliphate and its ideology, takes hold it will seek to reverse centuries of human progress. Civilisation in areas controlled by Daesh is under threat. It is estimated that Daesh has an annual income of at least $2 billion, derived from various criminal activities, including oil smuggling, drug trafficking and extortion, and from donations, including through non-profit organisations and fundraising through online networks. Australia is taking a lead role internationally to protect the integrity of international financial systems and to prevent the transfer of funds to terrorist groups.

Under Australia's presidency, the Financial Action Task Force last week called on its members to strengthen efforts to prevent global financial flows to terrorists. The Australian government's experts have worked on a strategy for this task force to cut off the financing of Daesh's terrorist activities, and we are shaping international efforts to starve them of funds. Last year, Australia secured international support for a Security Council resolution, 2178, which requires countries to prevent the financing of terrorist activities. We co-sponsored another Security Council resolution, 2161, which extended the sanctions regime on terrorists and reaffirmed the prohibition on paying ransoms to terrorist groups.

Last week I listed Egyptian terrorist group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis under Australia's counter-terrorism sanctions regime. About 400 individual entities are now subject to targeted financial sanctions under Australian law. Australia's targeted financial sanctions for those associated with terrorist groups are among the toughest in the world. We have penalties of up to 10 years jail for those found guilty of financing terrorism and up to 25 years jail for those who undertake other terrorist offences.

But there is more to do. A review of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act is underway, looking at options for enhancing our anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations. We have frozen the assets of known terrorists, but we are going after more. The government is pursuing all avenues at our disposal to combat terrorism and to starve terrorist organisations of the funds they need.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I would seek your indulgence in light of that last answer. Our first thoughts today, in light of the foreign minister's answer and the Prime Minister's invitation before in regard to his answer, are with the troops already in Iraq and the Middle East and their families. We understand that the ADF mission, in a region torn by violence, carries deadly risk. All Australians admire the bravery that such action demands. On behalf of the Labor Party, I say to our men and women in uniform: all Australians are proud of you today and every day, and we are proud of your families. I promise you that our nation will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people who love you until you come home.

The situation in Iraq, as the government has observed, is most serious. Daesh are totalitarian zealots beyond redemption.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I am more than generous with granting indulgence, but this is amounting to a statement during question time.

Opposition members interjecting—

There will be silence on my left!

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would seek your leave and your indulgence to continue this—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Your seeking indulgence to identify with that answer is perfectly in order, but to read how many pages?

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Four.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sorry, that is too vague. I will give you indulgence at the end of question time.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will give you indulgence at the end of question time.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, when the government sends troops—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will resume his seat. I will grant indulgence at the end of question time.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, can I ask a question, at least?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, you may ask a question. The Manager of Opposition Business?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I move:

That leave be granted for the Leader of the Opposition to make a statement.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is not in order. The member will resume his seat.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I am moving a motion. Are you saying I am not allowed to do that either?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I am not saying that. You may move your motion, knowing it is against the spirit of the standing orders for question time. The Leader of the House?

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, there are two options open to the Manager of Opposition Business. The first option is to seek leave to move a motion—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He's just done that.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, he did not. He simply started by saying, 'I move a motion.' The second thing he could do is move a suspension of standing orders. On either basis, we are happy to consider it. But right now he is out of order.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I will just seek leave.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will resume his seat. I will hear from the Prime Minister.