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

Thank you to Senator Cash for her first question as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. I make the point to Senator Cash that the position Australia has taken in the United Nations and elsewhere reflects the concern that so many in the international community had and have. It reflects the position of countries like Canada, like the United Kingdom, like New Zealand, like Japan and like Korea. I presume that the senator would not be asserting some of the political statements she has just made about the Australian government in relation to all of those governments. I make that point first.

Secondly, I say this: it isn't helpful to conflate Australian government concerns and Australian community concerns about the scale of loss of life in Gaza or UN votes with antisemitism. That is not helpful. Australia, like many countries, has advocated for a ceasefire, and we've expressed our concerns about the dire humanitarian situation. We want peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and we've taken a principled position in relation to the conflict. I appreciate that some may not agree with that position, but it is a position of principle and it is a clear position.

In relation to antisemitism, as I said earlier today, we have seen a devastating rise in antisemitism in Australia and across the world, and that is unacceptable. We as a government, and I personally as well, have condemned and rejected antisemitism wherever it occurs, including in relation to some of the slogans outside the Sydney Opera House. Acts of hate have no place in this country. (Time expired)