Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said of the attack on the Adass synagogue in Melbourne:

Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia.

Israel's deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel, recently made a public statement regarding her meeting with Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus. She said:

I expressed to him my disappointment with the shift in then Australian government's attitude towards Israel.

I emphasised our deep concern regarding the shocking rise in antisemitism in Australia and the clearly ineffectual response from the Australian government … There is no doubt this has been caused in part by the Australian government's ongoing campaign against Israel.

Minister, when will you acknowledge that the antisemitism crisis in Australia has been fuelled by the Albanese government's consistent actions against Israel on the world stage?

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

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

Senator Cash, first supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Over recent months, we've seen a synagogue firebombed, the former home of a Jewish leader vandalised, synagogues sprayed with hateful symbols, and even a Jewish childcare centre attacked in the middle of the night. Jewish Australians do not feel safe in Australia. This is a terrible indictment of the Albanese government. Why won't you admit your votes against Israel on the international stage are fuelling a culture of antisemitism in Australia?

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

I again refer to my first answer: we don't want the conflict brought here. We do not want the conflict brought here, and I have repeatedly said that, and we have repeatedly acted in a manner that is consistent with that principle. There is no place in Australia for the sort of antisemitism we have seen. There's no place in Australia for the sort of violence we've seen, the graffiti we've seen and the attacks that we've seen, including on a place of worship. The point I have made over and over again—and it is consistent with the position I have expressed all my political life and, in fact, all my life—is that fundamental to who we are as Australians are values such as respect, acceptance and inclusion. We should all advocate for them, and those of us on this side have always done so and will always do so.

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

Senator Cash, second supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, will the Albanese Labor government commit that it will no longer support one-sided anti-Israel motions at the United Nations that fail to condemn Hamas or call for the release of the hostages?

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

We have consistently condemned Hamas. We have consistently called for the release of hostages. In fact, that question demonstrates the sort of misinformation that those who wish to bring the conflict here engage in. That is what that demonstrates. This government, on behalf of the Australian people, has consistently condemned Hamas and has been consistent in its call for hostages to be released. I would note that the person who is out of touch with the international community is Mr Dutton, because Mr Dutton opposed a ceasefire. That ceasefire was supported by President Biden and President Trump.

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

Order!

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

I'm sorry. I'm getting a lot of interjections from the new leader.

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

I've called for order.

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

So when she's finished interjecting—thank you.

The ceasefire that Mr Dutton opposed was supported by— (Time expired)

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

Senator Ruston, I'm going to ask you to withdraw that comment.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

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

Thank you.