Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know I'm jumping a little bit ahead in consideration of committee reports, but I had discussions with the Opposition Whip earlier about tabling Senator Ciccone's statement on the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee's Australia's sanctions regime report. I seek leave to have that incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

I rise to take note of the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee on Australia's sanctions regime, tabled this Tuesday 11 February.

I acknowledge the work of my fellow committee members on this inquiry.

In taking note, I want to highlight the work undertaken by this government on sanctions reform and offer some comments on behalf of the Labor senators on this committee.

Labor senators appreciate the opportunity this inquiry has provided to closely examine the application of Australia's sanctions regime.

We are grateful to all those who made submissions and gave evidence to this enquiry, building awareness of targeted sanctions as one of the ways in which Australia is able to deter and disrupt breaches of international law and human rights abuses.

The Committee acknowledged that sanctions are, while imperfect, an essential tool in prosecuting foreign policy.

Clearly Labor senators don't agree with characterisation of the Australian Government's commitment to a robust sanctions regime included in the report.

We commend the tireless efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), particularly the Australian Sanctions Office, to navigate these challenges and ensure the robust, consistent and effective administration of Australia's sanctions.

In taking note of the Committee's report, it is important to also note the broader strategic context in which Australia operates. We are one of the few countries in the lndo-Pacific region that applies autonomous sanctions. Narratives about sanctions are misused by authoritarian countries to undermine the reputation of Australia, our values and interests.

It is important to also take note of the unprecedented efforts that the Government has taken to ensure a strong, effective and enforceable sanctions regime.

The Albanese government has committed an additional $26.4 million to strengthen the monitoring and enforcement of Australia's sanctions.

It has also undertaken the first holistic review of Australia's autonomous sanctions legislation since it was enacted in 2011.

The Albanese Government has taken stronger action on Iran than any previous government.

In mid-2023, we expanded the scope of the Iran autonomous sanctions regime to specifically capture the oppression of women and girls in Iran and general oppression of the population.

We have imposed sanctions on 195 Iranian-linked persons and entities, including almost 100 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) linked officials and entities. This followed not one new sanction placed on the IRGC by the previous government for nine years.

The Albanese Government has also taken action to hold Russia to account for its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine with more than 1,200 targeted financial sanctions and travel bans.

This very week, on 12 February, the Albanese Government announced the first Australian cyber sanctions against an entity, after having imposed the first ever Australian cyber sanctions in January 2024—both against Russian cybercriminals in response to the 2022 cyberattack against Medibank Private that affected millions of Australians.

And last week, on 3 February, we announced the first eve use of Australia's counter- terrorism finance sanctions against a wholly online entity, the white supremacist and neo-fascist Terrorgram network.

Finally, I note that despite the extensive efforts underway to cooperate with international partners, there will necessarily be differences in sanctions listings. We have different legal thresholds and criteria, the potential impacts we can each make varies greatly and we also have our own distinct sovereign interests.

Of course, Australia's sanctions regime will need to continue to evolve with shifting geopolitical circumstances. The Sanctions Inquiry has provided valuable perspectives to build upon the actions and achievements made by the Albanese government for a strong and effective sanctions regime.

Thank you.