We want to ensure that all aid that we provide as a government to any organisation in any country gets to the people it’s intended to get to. We are strongly of the belief that that is the case with these contributions.
Senator CHANDLER (Tasmania) (15:43): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Farrell. In January this year UNWRA sacked multiple staff members for alleged involvement in the horrific 7 October terrorist attacks, and funding for UNWRA was paused on the basis that alleged involvement by its staff in those attacks must be investigated. I note that these investigations continue and have not yet concluded. Will the government release the advice it received which underpinned its decision to reinstate funding to UNWRA ahead of the conclusion of investigations? Can the minister outline what verifiable undertakings have been secured to guarantee Australia taxpayer dollars are reaching those in genuine need and are in no way accessed by extremists or by terrorists?
Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:44): I thank the senator for her question. I also welcome the Filipinos here today. Kumusta.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Senator FARRELL: That’s the extent of my Filipino, after 40 years of marriage. I’m sorry about that! We want to ensure that all aid that we provide as a government to any organisation in any country gets to the people it’s intended to get to. We are strongly of the belief that that is the case with these contributions. As you rightly say, we did suspend the forwarding of aid to UNRWA when issues were raised, particularly about the people who were working in that organisation. Australia has contributed, I think, a total of $52.5 million in humanitarian assistance in Gaza since the terrible crisis—
The PRESIDENT: Senator Chandler on a point of order?
Senator Chandler: The point of order is on relevance. I asked about whether the government would release the advice it relied upon to reinstate funding to UNRWA, and I asked the minister to outline what undertakings had been taken before the funding was rereleased. I don’t think the minister has gone anywhere near those questions.
The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Chandler. There was an awful lot in your question and I have been listening very carefully to the minister. The minister is being relevant to your question.
Senator FARRELL: The allegations against UNRWA were obviously serious. They were grave. They warranted immediate and appropriate response. And as you may have seen, Senator, a number of countries, including Australia, have now taken the decision to resume humanitarian contributions in Gaza.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Chandler, first supplementary question?
Senator CHANDLER (Tasmania) (15:47): Speaking of other countries, did the minister or other government representatives consult with the United States prior to announcing the resumption of funding to UNRWA?
Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:47): Well, Senator, we make our own decisions about who we make humanitarian grants to. We obviously have a very close relationship with the United States, but we also have close relations with Canada, New Zealand and a range of other countries, including those in the European Union. All of those other countries—
Senator Birmingham interjecting—
Senator FARRELL: Well, I haven’t given up on the EU free trade agreement, Senator Birmingham, yet. We haven’t given up on that.
Senator McKenzie interjecting—
Senator FARRELL: Senator McKenzie, we make our own decisions about who we give humanitarian aid to. As I mentioned before— (Time expired)
The PRESIDENT: Senator Chandler, second supplementary?
Senator CHANDLER (Tasmania) (15:48): Why is the Albanese Labor government acting in opposition to the United States, our most trusted international partner, who awaits the outcomes of the investigation into UNRWA and in the interim is pursuing alternative means of delivering more humanitarian assistance?
Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:48): I take issue with your first statement. I’m not sure that the United States is our most trusted ally. I would have said New Zealand, in the whole history of time—I would have said our closest international ally is New Zealand.
Opposition senators interjecting—
The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. I’m going to wait for order before calling the minister again.
Senator FARRELL: We are very close to the United States—I freely concede that—and we’ll continue to work closely with the United States on a range of international issues. (Time expired)