Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Wong. In the last 12 months Israel has massacred at least 40,000 Palestinians, including 17,000 children. Some estimates put the death toll at over 100,000 people. It has been the deadliest war for journalists and aid workers. These are not just numbers; these are real people with real lives, real dreams and hopes that have now been shattered. Israel has destroyed or damaged 93 per cent of Gaza's schools, destroyed every university and damaged or destroyed 89 per cent of hospitals. In addition to the decades of Israel's oppression and occupation, for 12 months we have all seen a genocide livestreamed on our devices. Minister, will the Labor government overcome its cowardice and take action against the genocidal apartheid State of Israel?

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

First, Senator Faruqi, I think you'd do well to consider the advice of the head of ASIO, Mr Burgess, who said, given the division in our community, given the heightened tension—obviously this conflict is distressing. It is distressing for Australia's Jewish community, and it is distressing for Australia's Palestinian communities and for their supporters. There are many Australians who know people who have died in this conflict. He said:

We all need to watch our language because there is a direct connection between inflamed language and inflamed tension and violence.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's right—hide away!

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

Senator Faruqi, I will say it again because I think it's important that your party hears.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Through the chair.

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

Through the chair. ASIO head, Mike Burgess, said:

We all need to watch our language because there is a direct connection between inflamed language and inflamed tension and violence.

So I would have hoped—

An honourable senator interjecting—

In terms of loss of life, I think you've heard me very clearly, including at the UN, talk about the loss of life. You have heard me, including at the United Nations General Assembly in our national statement, speak very directly about the loss of life. We take a principled position that we mourn the loss of all lives, all civilian lives. The answer I gave to Senator Birmingham before about international law—that includes protection for civilians and the need to be proportionate in your response. That remains our position, and we will continue to work with the international community. (Time expired)

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

Senator Faruqi, first supplementary?

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, for one year, you and the Labor government have tried to hide behind empty words and platitudes, which we heard again today. People can see right through your hypocrisy, your double standards and your gaslighting. Minister, where is your red line? Will you take even the small step of condemning Israel for its war atrocities and its war crimes?

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

First, Senator, I have been very clear. While we argue for international law and the protection of civilians, you make a number of assertions which are ultimately questions for international tribunals. What I would say to you is that the use of that kind of language in this debate, I do think, is divisive and inflammatory. I would say to you that the reason we are advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza, the reason we are advocating—

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Shame on you! You're complicit in genocide!

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Thorpe, it is inappropriate to come in here—

Senator Thorpe, come to order.

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're being inappropriate because your government is complicit in genocide!

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

Senator Thorpe, take your seat or leave the chamber. I remind all senators that there is an opportunity to participate in a debate later today.

Senator Cash, order! There is an opportunity to participate in a debate later today. I would ask you during question time to respect the chamber and respect the need to listen in silence. Minister Wong, please continue.

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

We have argued for and voted for a ceasefire in Gaza because we want to protect lives. We have advocated for restraint and the protection of civilian lives. We have joined with others in relation to— (Time expired)

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

Senator Faruqi, second supplementary?

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the ICJ has made clear that Israel's occupation of Palestine is unlawful. Will you sanction Israel for its illegal actions and occupation?

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Take the slogans down.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! I have just finished informing the Senate that there is an opportunity to voice your concerns this afternoon. That was a disgraceful display, which every single senator who raised a placard knows is a contravention of the standing orders. You are—

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's not disgraceful to stand against genocide.

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

Order! Senator Faruqi, you are not in a debate with me. Either you remain orderly in this chamber or you leave.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Imagine if I did that. Imagine if I held up a piece of paper.

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

Order! Senator McKenzie, it does not need your input either. I'm the President. It is my responsibility to keep order in this place, and that display was completely disrespectful and out of order. If you can't remain in the chamber and not pull stunts like that then I invite you to leave.

Minister Wong, please continue.

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

That is the sum total of the Greens' capacity to change politics: to hold up a poster in question time—not to work with other parties; not to go to the international community and engage with members of the G7 and the countries of the Middle East, as we do, to try to progress the calls for peace; not to work with others to support a ceasefire in Gaza; not to work with others, including the United Kingdom and others in the Middle East, to support a de-escalation in Lebanon to save lives. You think the endpoint of politics is to hold up a sign after you've told the photographers to come. Really? That is the most progressive politics, is it? You hold a sign after you've told the photographers to come.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senator Shoebridge, I will name you. I should not have to keep calling you and other senators to order. There's an opportunity later today to make your contribution.

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong, on a very serious issue. Overnight, as many of us will have seen, Australians witnessed moving scenes of the first of the government assisted repatriation flights arriving in Sydney. Could the minister please update the Senate on the government's efforts to help these Australians and their immediate family members leaving Lebanon and returning safely to Australia, of which I'm sure many have welcomed that opportunity.

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

Thank you to Senator Ciccone for the question. I'm pleased to confirm that 349 Australians, permanent residents and their family members arrived in Sydney last night on a Qantas flight from Cyprus. It was heartwarming to see these Australians welcomed home by their loved ones. Three further government assisted flights from Cyprus back to Sydney and Brisbane are planned over the next 24 hours, and I want to acknowledge and thank Qantas and Qatar Airways for this repatriation. All those returning on government assisted flights have rights of entry or valid visas. These fights are the latest step in our government's efforts to help Australians in Lebanon to safety. As you would be aware, the government's travel advice for Lebanon has been 'Do not travel.'

'Why?'

Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Who's bombing them?

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

This is about the evacuation of Lebanese Australians, Senator—which we are facilitating. We've been warning Australians for many months—

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! I ask those senators who can't be respectful in this chamber to leave. That applies to government senators and Greens senators. If you can't listen in respectful silence then leave the chamber. That's your choice. Minister Wong, please continue.

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

As commercial flights became more difficult to access, our government stepped in to work directly with airlines and with partners to secure seats for Australians. Over the weekend, we built on this, with Australian government assisted departure flights. So far, 1,215 Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members have been assisted by this government to depart Lebanon on six flights. I particularly want to thank Australian government personnel involved in this effort, including Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff in Beirut, in Cyprus and all those working here in Australia in the crisis centre. Just as we saw with the assisted departure flights from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, these staff act with professionalism, courtesy and kindness in challenging circumstances. I thank them for their work. (Time expired)

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

Senator Ciccone, first supplementary?

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for that update. I also thank your staff, the department and all the other officials who have been working around the clock to get Australians home very safely. Minister, could you also inform the Senate how many more Australians are seeking to depart Lebanon and what further steps are being taken to assist them?

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

There are currently just under 4,000 Australians and their immediate family members registered with DFAT as wanting to depart Lebanon. Two further flights from Beirut to Cyprus are planned for this evening, our time, and there will be more in coming days to assist these Australians. But I do wish to make clear that these flights are subject to the security situation, to operational capacity and to ongoing demand. Obviously, we will not be able to continue these flights indefinitely. So my message to Australians who remain in Lebanon and who wish to leave is, again: do not wait. Now is the time to go. Please take the first flight option offered to you. Australians in Lebanon should ensure they are registered with DFAT via the crisis portal or by calling the 24-hour consular emergency centre on +61262613305.

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

Senator Ciccone, a second supplementary?

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the situation in Lebanon is of deep concern to many Australians. Could you please update the Senate on how Australia is contributing to global efforts to prevent further escalation in the conflict in the Middle East?

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

Australia is seeking to work with the international community towards long-term peace. We want a pathway, we want diplomatic solutions and we want de-escalation across the region. The Australian government unequivocally condemns Hezbollah's continued attacks on Israel—we recognise Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation which has continued to attack Israel—just as we also condemn Iran's direct attacks on Israel. These are dangerous escalations. The international community is clear: this destructive cycle must stop.

Unfortunately, there are some in Australia who seek to misrepresent the government's position and the position of other parties. I would remind the chamber that Australia joined the United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan and others in a joint statement calling for a ceasefire and a diplomatic settlement that enables civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes for safety. Days later, G7 leaders reaffirmed their call for de-escalation. (Time expired)