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

Thank you, Senator Paterson, for the question. I will obtain further information about the specific measure that you're talking about and the recording of any incidents. I don't have that to hand. Hopefully, I will have—

Senator, I don't have to hand information on the specific question about the recording of antisemitic incidents on a particular database. What I can say to you, Senator Paterson, is that the government—and, I hope the whole parliament—recognises the unprecedented rise in antisemitism we've seen in this country, recognises our collective responsibility to stand against it and recognises the importance of ensuring that police and national security agencies are able to do their work and that those who are responsible for this are apprehended—all are apprehended—and face the full force of the law. That's the priority of this government. We are very focused on ensuring that we continue to support members of the Jewish community with the funding we have announced and with the legislation that has been passed, whether it's the hate crime legislation that has passed just prior to question time or, for example, the antidoxxing legislation which was passed through this parliament previously, regrettably not supported by you, Senator. We want a framework in place that protects Jewish Australians, we want the authorities to apprehend those who are responsible, but most of all we want all Australians to stand against the antisemitism and prejudice we have seen. It is not the Australian way.