Max Chandler-Mather (Griffith, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. This year, Labor awarded a $917 million contract to Israeli weapons corporation Elbit Systems, the same company that made the drone that Israel used to bomb the World Central Kitchen convoy and kill Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom. Elbit is one of the largest suppliers to the Israeli military as it carries out a genocide in Gaza. Elbit Systems is already blacklisted in other countries for violations of humanitarian law. Why won't the government cancel the Elbit Systems contract?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. It is a fact that there have been no weapons or ammunition exported to Israel in the last five years. That information was confirmed in Senate estimates. Just this week, Defence officials confirmed that recent data published by DFAT referring to the export of arms to Israel in February refers to the export of a single item for the Australian Defence Force that will return to Australia once it's fixed, disproving the misinformation being peddled by you. At that time, it is a fact that defence export permits that were issued to Israel over the last five years were for items other than weapons and ammunition, such as components of ADF equipment which was being repaired.

Of course, the export permits should not be confused with weapons sales, but I suspect the member knows this.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will pause. The member for Griffith, on a point of order?

Max Chandler-Mather (Griffith, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance. The Prime Minister was asked specifically about the Elbit Systems contract—the $917 million one that this government has awarded—and he has not mentioned it once. His answer is not relevant to the question.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Resume your seat. I want to hear from the Leader of the House.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To the point of order: the misinformation actually continues in the point of order. The question was much broader than that and was asked on television. People heard the question was much broader than that, and the Prime Minister's being relevant.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can appreciate that the member for Griffith would like a specific part of the question answered. Under the standing orders, the Prime Minister needs to be directly relevant. He is talking about the relevant topic. Under the standing orders, he is being directly relevant, so he is in order.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am pleased to state that export permits are required for a wide range of goods and technology, many for civilian and commercial purposes, and they're listed publicly on the Defence and Strategic Goods List. But it is beyond my comprehension why anyone in this place would seek to suggest that Australia were participants in a conflict when we are not, when we are simply not, when we have called repeatedly for ceasefire—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Griffith has asked his question.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member talks about the F-35 program. Well, Australia first engaged in it in 2002. Australia is one of 18 like-minded nations, including Norway, Denmark, Canada and the Netherlands, who operate the F-35 and contribute to its global supply chain. They know that that is the case as well, but they seek, in a divisive way, to raise these issues in order to then weaponise them and cause division in the Australian community. I ask the assistant minister to respond as well.

Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In fact, the misinformation continues in the question. Hanwha does not have that contract with the government of Australia. Hanwha Australia— (Time expired)