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

I respect the way in which Senator Cadell asked that question. This is a serious set of events in Australia. It deserves a serious response. I was pleased when I saw Ms Ley talk about the need for bipartisanship on this. I would invite her colleagues to perhaps reflect on whether or not their approach in trying to find some political differentiation on an issue like this is an appropriate one for a party of government.

Senator, it is the case that we know that the IRGC around the world has engaged in foreign influence and foreign interference in different democracies. We have seen that. I will leave it to the Director-General of ASIO to outline any further what is appropriate to put in the public arena. That is one of the reasons why it's so important for all of us to stand against foreign interference. That's why, on a bipartisan basis, we passed, when we were in opposition, foreign interference laws. It's why we have international security agencies which are there to keep Australians safe. (Time expired)