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

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Yesterday Australians were shocked and disgusted by the antisemitic threats made by nurses at Bankstown hospital. The New South Wales health minister said that both nurses had been stood down immediately. However, it currently remains possible for both individuals to practise in any other state or territory. What steps has the Prime Minister taken to ensure that these people are not able to practise as health professionals today in any location across our country?

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

I thank the senator for the question and I agree with her that we were shocked. I think I made some comments yesterday about how shocking it was to have that kind of vile hatred, that antisemitism, expressed in the way that it was. We've seen universal condemnation, including across the political spectrum.

Also, I note today that the relevant trade union, the Nursing and Midwifery Federation, have engaged in a public rally in support of the appropriate values that health care should have at its heart. I think I answered that aspect of the question yesterday. I made reference to the fact that any reduction to or taking away of a licence in a state would be reflected in terms of the national regulator. I read to you the advice that I have received, which is that there is a national scheme for regulating the safety and quality of health practitioners, including nurses, and the relevant authority is NSW Health—

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat.

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

I think my question was very specific—

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

Senator Ruston, what is it that you're on your feet for?

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

It's relevance.

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

Okay, you didn't say that.

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

I may have been mumbling—my apologies. I was seeking relevance in terms of the response that we've received so far from the minister. It was in relation to what action the Prime Minister is taking to make sure that these people are not practising anywhere else in Australia, and I think we deserve to know the answer.

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

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

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

It's about the Prime Minister.

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

I'll take the interjection from Senator Cash, because she wants to talk about the Prime Minister. I want to talk about the registration, and I will come to the Prime Minister. Your question, Senator—

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order across the chamber!

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

As I said yesterday, an adverse finding made by NSW Health automatically flows through to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which is the national regulator. (Time expired)

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

Senator Ruston, first supplementary?

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

The New South Wales police has launched an investigation into the incident, with the New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb calling it 'a sad day for the country'. Is the AFP investigating this incident to determine whether any Commonwealth crimes have been committed and whether these individuals would be subject to the mandatory minimum sentences in the hate crimes legislation passed in this parliament last week?

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

First, obviously the matter is being investigated by the New South Wales police, as it should be. I express the view, as I did yesterday, that those individuals should face the full force of the law. The AFP will provide any assistance that is needed by the New South Wales police, and, Senator, I hope you, like I do, have faith in the AFP and in authorities.

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

Point of order—I think my question was very clear about the mandatory sentencing in the hate crimes law, and I don't think the minister's gone anywhere to that point.

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

Your question also went to the New South Wales police investigation and the AFP, and 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

Can I indicate that I'm advised that the AFP has offered assistance. The Senate would also be aware of Special Operation Avalite, which has been previously spoken about and whose objective is to ensure, as Commissioner Kershaw says, that we protect not only Australians but the Australian way of life, and it's specifically looking at how it is that authorities can more effectively protect against— (Time expired)

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

Senator Ruston, second supplementary?

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

Will the Prime Minister hold a National Cabinet to ensure the safety of Jewish Australians, who were the subject of these death threats, and will you commit to taking real national action beyond a national database which only really serves to enmire the problem?

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

Through you, President—the Prime Minister engages closely and regularly with premiers and chief ministers and has worked closely with Premier Minns. What I would ask of the opposition is: will you stand with us against antisemitism? Will you stand with us? The most effective way of standing against prejudice and hatred—I say this as somebody who remembers John Howard—is for the parties across this chamber to stand together, united against antisemitism. I invite those opposite to show that principled leadership and bipartisanship against prejudice and hate. I invite Senator Ruston to do that. I will always stand against prejudice and hate, and I invite those opposite to stand with us against it.

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

Senator McKenzie, I do not intend to spend the next 55 minutes calling you to order. I remind you of standing order 203.