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

First, if I can, I ask for a reminder of relevant funding in relation to Defence and DFAT. I'd make the point that in 2023-24 total DFAT resourcing is $7.8 billion and total Defence resourcing in 2023-24 is $55 billion, so I think the senator's question ought to be taken in the context of those figures. Yes, we do believe national security should be above politics. We don't believe that, in pursuit of an election victory, a government should try and scare Australians about the drums of war. We don't believe, in pursuit of an election victory, a government should try and smear a senior member of the opposition as the 'Manchurian candidate'. We don't believe in making unilateral decisions which are contrary to the position Australia has held for decades because a government wishes to win a by-election. So you're right. If you want to be part of making sure national security is about politics, I'm happy to have a discussion.