Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Ciccone, for the question. We have seen a number of appalling antisemitic attacks against Australia's Jewish community since the horrific October 7 2023 attacks. This government made clear that these attacks have no place in Australia. We also made clear that ASIO and the AFP would investigate as a priority. I can inform the chamber that ASIO has now gathered incredible intelligence to reach the deeply disturbing conclusion that the Iranian government directed at least two of the attacks—the 20 October attack on Lewis' Continental Kitchen, in Sydney, and the 6 December attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.

Iran has sought to undermine the cohesion of our community. Iran has done so with acts of aggression that sought to terrify Australians and put Australian lives in danger. There is no doubt that these extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil have crossed a line. That is why the government has declared Iran's ambassador to Australia persona non grata—as well as three other Iranian officials. This is the first time Australia has expelled an ambassador in the postwar period.

In relation to our embassy in Tehran, where we have had a diplomatic presence since 1968, the government has also taken the step to withdraw Australia's ambassador to Iran. We have suspended the operations of our embassy in Iran for the safety of our officials and for Australia's broader security. I want to publicly acknowledge the DFAT officials who have served at this embassy and their spouses and families for their service and fortitude. The government will also move to legislate to list Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, as a terrorist organisation. I want to thank the ASIO director-general and the AFP commissioner for the work they and their teams do to keep Australians safe.