James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. An article in the Australian today revealed that the Lebanese Muslim Association, an organisation awarded a $1.65 million social cohesion grant by the Albanese government, joined with the extremist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir to host a rally last night to mark the one-year anniversary of October 7, where speakers celebrated terrorist attacks as a day of 'celebration'. Minister, do you think it's appropriate to give taxpayers' money for social cohesion to an organisation which supported a protest on the anniversary of the largest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust?

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

First, in relation to the last part of the question, I think we are united in our condemnation of what occurred on October 7. It was an atrocity. It was not only the greatest loss of Jewish life in any single day since the Holocaust; there were also so many other Israeli citizens who were harmed and are living with that. We also have hostages who are still held. We, I think, are united in our condemnation of Hamas, which is, as I keep reminding people in this place, a terrorist organisation that is dedicated to the destruction of the Jewish state and the Jewish people. They are rightly condemned, as they should be.

In relation to Hizb ut-Tahrir, I condemn those hateful comments, and I've consistently done that, just as I have been clear about—

Opposition Senator:

An opposition senator interjecting—

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

I have done so publicly, Senator. And I have condemned the flying of the Hezbollah flag and symbols, and I think we all should. We are at a time when we see a lot of division in our society and—

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, I raise a point of order on direct relevance. I asked the minister about a grant for social cohesion to an organisation that hosted a rally celebrating October 7. She has not responded 90 seconds into the question.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Paterson. I note that your question was broader than that and I think the minister is being relevant and I will continue to listen carefully.

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

I was responding to the last part of your question, Senator Paterson. In relation to Hizb ut-Tahrir, we would say—and I've said previously to you, Senator Paterson—that we take advice from our security and intelligence agencies about whether to list organisations. I won't speculate publicly about that. In relation to the grant, the advice I have is no government funding has supported such events or rallies. Twenty-five million dollars was provided to the Australian Jewish community and $25 million was provided to support Palestinian— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Paterson, first supplementary?

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Separate media reports revealed that United Muslim of Australia sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun praised the October 7 terrorist attack at this rally, claiming, 'Victory is coming soon.' This comes after the Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill, invited United Muslims of Australia to also apply for a social cohesion grant from the Commonwealth government. Will the Prime Minister intervene to rescind these grants and ensure no more taxpayer money will go to organisations promoting extremist and antisemitic views?

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

What I was going to say was that the advice I have is that $25 million was provided to support the Australian Jewish community and $25 million was provided to support Australian Palestinian, Muslim, Christian and other communities affected by the conflict in the Middle East. Funding to the Lebanese Muslim Association was for trauma support, mental health and youth related work.

I understand the point that the senator is making. I would respond in relation to—was it Mr Beydoun in the quote you talked about?

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sheikh Dadoun.

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

I'm sorry; I must have misheard you. Certainly, in relation to the speaker at the rally that I thought you were referencing, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs has made clear that he has asked his department to conduct a visa check.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Paterson, second supplementary?

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the same event, an American guest speaker, Khaled Beydoun, said 'Today is not a day that is full of mourning; today is a day that marks celebration.' The Department of Home Affairs later confirmed he is travelling here on a visa. How did Mr Beydoun pass the character test for this visa, given that he publicly praised slain Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, on social media one week ago?

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

Thank you, Senator Paterson. That was the speaker which I was referencing in my previous answer. First, I'd say very clearly that the government, all of us, condemn his comments. There is nothing to celebrate about October 7, and it's a revolting thing to suggest that there is.

As I understand it, the minister said clearly that he has asked for advice from the department so he can consider this person's visa status. Obviously, I'll take advice on the information that you outline. I would assume that would not have been brought to the minister's attention before the department issued a visa.