Rowan Holzberger (Forde, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I had intended today to talk about some of the really positive things that are happening in Forde and some of the really positive and essential people who work hard in our community, but it is difficult to talk about that today when the events that are happening in the world are causing a lot of concern to many hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the electorate of Forde. During these constituency statements this morning, I really do want to recognise the depth of feeling in the community that I represent and really reinforce what the government has said about the situation in Iran. Fundamentally, we stand with the people of Iran. I remind you that this is a regime that has brutally suppressed its own people and, most recently, murdered thousands of its own people. As the Foreign minister has said, a regime that requires murder to maintain authority is a regime without legitimacy.

Let us not also forget that the Iranian regime brought terror to Australia and was responsible for organising two firebombings on Australian soil, two terrorist acts on Australian soil, apart from the other operations that the Australian government thwarted. That's why this government has done more than any previous Australian government. We expelled the Iranian ambassador. We put sanctions on somewhere around 200 Iranian linked individuals, and we declared the revolutionary guard as a terrorist organisation.

But, fundamentally, I do want to say that there are many Australians of Iranian descent living in Forde and many Afghans living in Forde whose families are in Iran. These are mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, wives and husbands. These are people who have emailed me over the last couple of days, who have texted me over the last couple of days or who have called me over the last couple of days, desperately worried about their family overseas, living in that region. And so I do want to reinforce the message that the No. 1 priority of the Australian government in all of this is the safety of Australians. Do not travel. Follow that advice. I can only imagine what it must feel like at the moment to be disconnected from your family not only by geography but also by technology, as communication lines have gone down. I can only imagine the pain and anxiety that you feel. But hang in there. Do not travel, and know that the Australian government, myself included, are on your side.

Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 193, the time for members constituency statements has concluded.