Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The first point I would make, if I may, given the question goes to Israel, is to express that we are obviously deeply saddened by the murder of four Israeli citizens in a terror attack overnight. We condemn this act and make the point that terrorism and violence against civilians can never be justified, and we urgently call upon all parties to exercise restraint. I would again say what I've said many times, which is the reminder for leaders to work together to foster the conditions necessary for tolerance and peace.

I don't propose to respond to all of the propositions you put to me. The fact that we engage with a country does not mean we agree with every statement made by an officeholder of a country. You've heard me say, for example, in relation to China, that we will cooperate where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest. We have a view as a government that engagement matters. We will continue to engage with members of the Israeli government as is appropriate and necessary, and we intend to judge the government on the policies it pursues and to make our views known when we need to. Australia has been and is a friend of Israel, and that means we can also indicate our view on matters on which we disagree.

I hope you wouldn't need me to respond to some of the propositions you have made with an indication that, obviously, I and the members of the government do not agree with some of the views in relation to LGBTQI people that you have articulated or reported. But that is a different issue. (Time expired)