Senator Penny Wong – opening remarks at Prime Minister and Cabinet Estimates regarding Israel, Gaza, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia (and comments from Senator Richard Colbeck)

photo of Senator Penny Wong
October 23, 2023

Australians are deeply distressed, and rightly so, and this distress is felt most acutely in our Jewish community and our Palestinian community. We all know this is a long, complex and disputed history. It’s deeply felt, and it’s close to the hearts of many in the Australian community.

Senator Wong: Thank you. Whilst we will deal with the policy issues associated with the crisis in the Middle East, more likely on Thursday, I thought, given the extent of the crisis and the depth of community sentiment here in Australia, it would be appropriate to make a short opening statement. We are seeing a human tragedy, and I would observe that how all of us as political leaders approach these issues does have an impact on the unity of our country. Australians are deeply distressed, and rightly so, and this distress is felt most acutely in our Jewish community and our Palestinian community. We all know this is a long, complex and disputed history. It’s deeply felt, and it’s close to the hearts of many in the Australian community.

I would say we have seen some disturbing rhetoric in recent weeks. We have seen vile antisemitism and Islamophobia. That sort of language and rhetoric undermines one of our greatest strengths as a nation—that is, our diversity, our tolerance and our values. Obviously, the government is supporting community safety and wellbeing, and the Prime Minister has announced measures including $25 million to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and $25 million to the Australian Palestinian, Muslim and other communities affected by conflict, as well as targeted measures on mental health support and enhanced monitoring of violent extremist online content.

But the point I want to make today, that I have made in the chamber and that I will make every day is that fostering community resilience is not just the job of government. All of us in this place have a platform, and how we use that platform can help or harm cohesion. So we are all accountable, and, when some seek to create division, we should strive for unity. So I ask all parliamentarians: when we speak, let us speak with respect and understanding. We all join in rejecting hatred and condemning prejudice and discrimination in all their forms. We reject the terror perpetrated by Hamas, and we separate their heinous acts from the legitimate needs and aspirations of the Palestinian people. We stand against antisemitism and Islamophobia. We reject prejudice and, hate speech in all their forms, and, more importantly, we call them out when we see them. We seek to maintain mutual respect for all at home, because we are a harmonious multicultural society, and that requires all of us to foster the values that underpin it. That’s who we are as a country. Thank you, Chair.

CHAIR: Thank you, Minister. Senator Colbeck?

Senator COLBECK: Can I just speak?

Senator Wong: I’ve finished what I have to say, but, if you want to respond to me, I’m happy for you to do that.

Senator COLBECK: I just wanted to acknowledge your opening statement, Senator Wong. I think it’s an important sentiment to be expressed. Certainly I think the committee acknowledges the sensitivity of the current situation in and around the Middle East but particularly in Israel and the West Bank, and we are all very conscious of the circumstances of individuals on both sides of what we’re seeing at the moment. We’re all hearing from our constituents in relation to the difficult circumstances that people are in on both sides and the tragic loss of life, and I think we would all like to see a situation where there is a much more peaceful time in that part of the world. So I think it’s appropriate that we acknowledge your statement to the committee starting this morning’s proceedings and acknowledge the need for people to be respectful to each other in this debate. I think that’s a very important part of it, particularly in the context of the Australian community, because, as you quite rightly say, we are a very successful multicultural country. There are differences of opinion within our community, but expressing those differences of opinion in a respectful way is extremely important. In that sense, from a coalition perspective, I’m happy to join you in that entreaty to our communities, because it’s going to be important for the harmony of our communities, as well. It’s a strong message for us to express, as community leaders—as you quite rightly say—to the rest of our communities.

Link to Parliamentary Hansard