Tim Watts (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ramadan is a time for reflection and for connection in our community, and there's no better place for this connection than at a local iftar in your community with friends and family. Attending iftars in recent weeks, many members of parliament in this place would have heard about the trauma of the conflict in the Middle East and how that is causing anxiety across Australia. They will also have heard about the effects of the rising anti-Muslim rhetoric from some in this place and the way that is compounding this anxiety.

The reality is that the Australian Muslim community has been experiencing increased levels of Islamophobia in Australia in recent times, and the rhetoric in this place inevitably filters down into the community and into our schoolyards. There have been some appalling incidents targeting mosques and even iftars this year driven by Islamophobia. It's un-Australian and it needs to be called out. Every Australian Muslim, just like every other Australian, has a right to feel safe and to be safe. Every Australian politician has an obligation to ensure that their words do not incite hateful actions.

In the Middle East conflict, our first priority is the safety and security of Australians in the region. Although not all want to leave, we are aware that there are still over 100,000 Australians in the Middle East. Unfortunately, the conflict in the Middle East remains volatile and dangerous. For decades, the Iranian regime has posed a threat to its own people, the region and international peace and security. Iran's retaliatory strikes have targeted energy infrastructure and civilian areas across 12 countries in the region. We are gravely concerned at the expansion of the conflict into Lebanon. It's been heartbreaking to see the loss of life there and across the region, especially the number of children killed. I know how painful this has been to watch for so many members of the Australian community. If the conflict escalates further, it will have devastating consequences for civilians across the region.

The Australian government has raised with Israel our concern about potential Israeli military action in the suburbs of southern Beirut. Our concerns include the impacts of Israeli military action on civilians in Lebanon, especially given the large numbers of Australians in the country and the potential for further displacement of the Lebanese population.

For Australians in the region, commercial flights are still the best way to leave. The Australian government is working closely with airlines across the region on commercial flight options, and since 4 March approximately 3,000 Australians have returned to Australia on 21 flights. The Australian government will continue to look at all options available, engaging partners and taking action to help Australians who want to leave the Middle East. We encourage all Australians in the region to monitor and subscribe to Smartraveller for advice on how to stay safe and to return home, and we'll continue to support Australians to navigate the disruption and provide consular assistance where we can.