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

I'd refer Senator Chandler to the first question I took from the government in this place, which was precisely about antisemitism. It might be well for us all to remember that this is not an issue of partisanship; this is an issue of making sure that, from this place, we send a very clear message that all forms of prejudice and discrimination are to be condemned, that we work always for acceptance, respect and unity, that we condemn prejudice wherever we see it and that we condemn antisemitism just as we condemn all forms of prejudice, including Islamophobia and prejudice against other groups in society—prejudice against people for who they are.

I would note that Israel has taken a decision to raise its warnings for a number of countries. Australia is one of them, but those countries also include the United Kingdom, Germany, France and others. I will check the others, but I certainly know of the UK, Germany and France. We obviously want Australia to be a welcoming place for visitors. I think you would have heard in my first answer, and in many other things we have said, that there is no place for antisemitism in Australia and we must make sure it does not find a foothold here. I can certainly say that we will always denounce it and reject it utterly, just as we do all forms of racism and prejudice. I would say to the senator: I know Mr Dutton has made certain comments. I also see Senator Birmingham has made comments. This is not a partisan issue. This is actually an issue on which we should stand united.