Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The Australian government funded organisation Creative Australia has announced that Khaled Sabsabi will be Australia's artistic representative to the Venice Biennale. Mr Sabsabi features the dead Hezbollah terrorist leader Nasrallah in his artworks. With such appalling antisemitism in our country, why is the Albanese government allowing a person who highlights a terrorist leader in his artwork to represent Australia on the international stage at the Venice Biennale?

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

Senator, I wasn't aware of the facts as you outlined them in your question until now. I agree with you that any glorification of the Hezbollah leader Nasrallah is inappropriate, and I've expressed those views previously, and I'll certainly get further information for you.

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

Senator Chandler, first supplementary?

Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hezbollah is a listed terrorist organisation in Australia and Hezbollah has committed the vilest of atrocities. Why then is the Albanese government allowing Australian taxpayer money to fund an overseas trip for Mr Sabsabi when he has featured the dead Hezbollah terrorist leader Nasrallah in his artwork?

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

Senator Chandler, I refer you to my first answer, which I think responded directly to some of those points. I would say to you that you would see from the government's actions, as well as from what I have said and what the Prime Minister has said, that we condemn Hezbollah unequivocally.

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

Senator Chandler, second supplementary?

Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Sabsabi has previously produced artwork promoting Osama Bin Laden and a series of 9/11 images of the aircraft hitting the Twin Towers, titled 'Thank you very much'. Will the Albanese government immediately reverse the decision for Mr Sabsabi to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale?

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

I refer to my first answer, Senator, which was—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

I know that you really want to make—

Senator Cash, if you could, just let me answer.

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

It's a simple answer: yes.

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

I wasn't aware of this until you asked me. I certainly will get advice, and I share your concerns about Hezbollah.