Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This Labor government has taken stronger action against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps than any other government in Australian history. This is something that matters to the very large Iranian Australian community in Bennelong. Since coming to government, Labor has sanctioned 200 Iranian linked persons and entities. We've co-sponsored and campaigned for the UN Human Rights Council investigation into human rights violations in Iran. We're at the forefront of calling for Iran's removal from the UN Commission on the Status of Women, as part of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' people's campaign. That's because we recognise the threat that the IRGC poses to international and domestic security.

Following advice from our security agencies, Labor will change the law so that we can list the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. This is welcome and overdue. This comes after the horrendous actions of the IRGC in antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, but it's also acting on calls from the Iranian Australian community in Bennelong and across the country, who have been calling for this action for a very long time. In the past and into the future, I'll always stand up for Australian values and be a voice for the Iranian Australian community in Bennelong. Listing the IRGC is a necessary step and will send the world a message that Australia stands against terror abroad and at home.