Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Attorney-General. In October 2019, the now Attorney-General said in this place:

Labor's opposition to mandatory sentencing is well known.

…   …   …

Labor's opposition to mandatory sentencing is no secret. It is spelled out in our national platform …

…   …   …

… let me be clear: we do not support … mandatory sentencing …

With this in mind, and having been steamrolled by the Prime Minister on a bill that passed the House last week, can the Attorney-General please detail the benefits of mandatory sentencing, which he now strongly supports?

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

Order! The minister for climate change and the Minister for Housing will cease interjecting.

Honourable members interjecting—

Order! No. The deputy is entitled to ask her question in silence, out of respect to the House, and the Attorney hasn't even begun answering, so no-one will interject.

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for her question. No government has done more to combat the abhorrent and shocking rise in antisemitism than this government. The Liberals talk about it and this government acts.

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

Order! Order! No. Members on my left and my right, that's far too much noise. The Attorney has the call.

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Liberals are still baying and shouting and talking. This government acts on antisemitism. We have legislated to ban the Nazi salute and hate symbols. We have legislated to criminalise the glorifying of terrorist acts and possessing violent extremist material. We have legislated to criminalise doxxing; those opposite voted against that. Now the parliament has come together to pass a bill which criminalises hate speech. It is legislation that represents the toughest laws Australia has ever had against hate crimes. The legislation is a direct response to the hateful conduct happening on our streets, at our schools and in our communities. We are sending a clear and unambiguous message that advocating or threatening violence is not acceptable. It is criminal behaviour and it will be treated as such.

We want all Australians to feel safe and valued in our community and that is what good governments do. They unite a country against hate.

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

The minister was asked about the benefits of mandatory sentencing and he is reading to the House about the legislation and the requirements, so I just want to give the deputy leader some assistance, because, if you are asking a question about what are the benefits, he is listing that to the House. If the minister can continue to make sure his answer is relevant, or directly relevant, to the question and not straying into other topics, that will assist the House.

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Speaker for that assistance. In the last few months, I have stood in the shadow of the main gate at the Auschwitz death camp, I have stood on the field where a music festival in Israel was turned into a bloodbath and I have stood in the ruins of a burnt out synagogue in my own home. But those opposite have taken every opportunity since 7 October 2023 to politicise the trauma and the experiences of the Jewish people.

I do not need the Leader of the Opposition or any of those opposite to tell me what antisemitism is or how seriously I should take it. You are disgusting.

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

The Manager of Opposition Business is on his feet. I give him the call.