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. On 21 January, National Cabinet agreed to establish a new national database to record antisemitic crime and other antisemitic incidents. Minister, has the database been established, and, if so, how many incidents of antisemitism has it recorded so far?

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

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

Minister, National Cabinet was two weeks ago. It only had one outcome that the Prime Minister has spoken about, which is the introduction of a new database to record incidents of antisemitism. Are you seriously saying you do not know whether or not it has been established and, if it has been established, how many incidents it has recorded?

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

Senator Paterson, I've been clear with you. I will seek to obtain that information. Obviously—

Well, you didn't ask Senator Watt, did you? I will seek to obtain that information, but I'd again say, Senator, that I understand that the primary focus of those opposite has been on how to gain a political advantage. I think we've all seen that. Our focus is on what we can do as a government to stand with the Jewish community and against the sort of prejudice we have seen and the sort of hate we have seen, because we know where it leads, and to ensure that we provide the appropriate legislative and financial support in the way that we have prioritised. That's been the focus of this government.

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

Can you confirm that the National Cabinet was not briefed on 21 January about the incident involving the caravan at Dural and that the only person sitting around the cabinet table who knew about that incident was the Premier of New South Wales?

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

Here we go again! What we see from those opposite is a focus on press conferences and on politics. It says something about their priorities, doesn't it? We are concerned with national security and keeping people safe; they are concerned with getting the grab—

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. The minister has not even pretended to try and answer the question about whether National Cabinet was briefed and who knew.

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

Senator Paterson, the minister is being relevant to your question. I will continue to listen carefully.

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

Senator Paterson, I'd refer you to my previous answers. And I'll refer you again to the fact that this is an ongoing investigation. I know that what you have been prioritising this week is performing for the cameras. The rest of us are prioritising ensuring—

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

President, again the point of order is in relation to relevance. The question was very clear. It asked for a specific date. It could not possibly be categorised as prejudicial to law enforcement or the investigation. I really—

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

Senator Cash, please resume your seat.

Senator Cash, you can of course stand and ask a point of order, and I will take that into consideration, but it is not appropriate then to get into some kind of debate and commentary. The minister is being relevant to the question.

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

This is an ongoing investigation. I refer to my previous answers. But do you know the investigation we should engage in? It's an investigation as to your motives, because we know, Senator Paterson, that what you and your leader have been interested in is playing politics with this and getting the grab up on television. We all understand that.

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

Senator McKenzie and Senator McGrath, I have called both of you to order on several occasions.

Senator McKenzie interjecting—

Senator McKenzie, you in particular then just yelled more loudly. When I call you to order, I expect you to come to order.