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. Today Australians witnessed utterly vile footage of two nurses at Bankstown hospital making despicable antisemitic death threats against Israeli patients, with one boasting: 'You have no idea how many Israeli people come to this hospital. I send them to Jahannam.' Jahannam is Arabic for 'hell'. The other nurse declared that she wouldn't treat Israeli patients, saying, 'I'll kill them.' What has the Prime Minister done to ensure the safety of Jewish and Israeli patients across Australia given the threats on their lives that have been made?

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

This video is disgusting. The footage is sickening, and it is shameful, and the comments to which the senator refers are vile. Antisemitism has no place in this country, it has no place in our health system, and the comments are inconsistent with who we are and fly in the face of all that we are as a country, which is welcoming of and respectful of people of all faiths and all cultural backgrounds.

I am advised that these individuals have been stood down by New South Wales authorities, as they should have been. I'm also advised they've been referred to the NSW Police for criminal investigation, as they should have been, and individuals found to have committed criminal antisemitic acts should face the full force of the law.

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

I rise on a point of order on relevance. The question was in relation to what the Prime Minister has done to ensure the safety of Jewish and Israeli patients across Australia.

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

Senator Cash, the minister is being directly relevant to your question.

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

On this, I would have hoped that response to this issue is above politics. That's certainly how we are approaching it, and the Prime Minister has made very clear statements. This matter has been dealt with in accordance with the appropriate procedures, which is that they have been stood down by the New South Wales authorities, as they should have been.

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

Thank you. I ask the minister: has the Prime Minister called a national cabinet on ensuring the safety of Jewish and Israeli patients across Australia?

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

The Prime Minister has previously engaged regularly with states and territories about the issue of antisemitism. We know that antisemitism has been on the rise in this country. We know that Jewish Australians have been targeted. I have said in this place many times that people in this country have a right not only to be safe but also to feel safe, and we all have a role, as Mr Dreyfus so eloquently put it in the other place, to work together to stand up against hatred, against antisemitism and for the values that are central to who we are.

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

Again, I have a point of order on relevance. The question went directly to: has the Prime Minister called a national cabinet?

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Thank you, Senator Cash. I will draw the minister back to your question.

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

My recollection, as I said, is that the Prime Minister has previously engaged and continues to engage with the states on these issues. I refer the minister to the Prime Minister's public statements today and to the previous discussion.

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

Given that there has been a wave of antisemitic hate in Australia since October 2023, with these vile threats being the latest horrific example, how does the Prime Minister propose to lead a nationally coordinated approach to ensure Jewish and Israeli patients can have confidence in our healthcare system?

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

Can I just provide some information, which I have now located, in relation to some matters in the federal jurisdiction. It's in response to the primary question. There is a national scheme for regulating the safety and quality of health practitioners, including nurses. In the case of New South Wales, the relevant authority is the Health Care Complaints Commission. Any adverse finding by that body will automatically flow through to the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. I can inform the Senate that the secretary of NSW Health has referred this matter to both the HCCC and informed—

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

Again, I raise a point of order in relation to relevance. All three questions directly went to the actions of the Prime Minister of Australia.

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

I believe the minister is being relevant. 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 seeking to provide the senator with information about her first question, which I didn't have in front of me when I answered it. What I'd say to Senator Cash is that I am willing to work with anyone to stand up against antisemitism. I hope that that is the case across the chamber.