Ellie Whiteaker (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Yesterday the Prime Minister, the Foreign minister and the home affairs minister announced that ASIO has credible intelligence showing the Iranian government directed at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil, possibly more. I want to acknowledge the work of ASIO on this investigation and commend them for their commitment to protecting our national interests.

Let me be clear: there is no place for antisemitism in our country, there is no place for violence or for aggression in our country and there is no place for interference in our country. We cannot tolerate them. Acts of aggression such as these strike at the heart of our community and have no place in the Australian way of life.

In response, the government has declared that Iran's ambassador to Australia is persona non grata, along with three other Iranian officials. It is the first time we have expelled an ambassador in the postwar period. These are not decisions that can be taken lightly. We have suspended the operations of our embassy in Iran, for the safety of our officials and for the broader security of our nation.

We will also legislate to list Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. We take this matter very seriously. When the Foreign minister joined the Prime Minister and the home affairs minister to make this announcement yesterday, she said:

We have sought to lower the temperature in Australia, and to not reproduce the conflict in the Middle East … I again urge others to consider whether their actions help those who want to divide our nation. We all want the killing in the Middle East to stop, and we want to retain our character as a nation that welcomes people of different race, religion, views, united by respect for each other's humanity and our collective desire to live in peace. We will always safeguard our communities and protect Australians from all forms of hate.

I encourage everyone in this place to reflect on those words from our Foreign minister. This is not a time for division.

Yesterday the opposition leader said that the opposition was united with the government on the measures announced yesterday, but, sadly, we're seeing them throw out this bipartisanship on this really serious matter. It's disappointing to see some in this place use this as an opportunity for political pointscoring.

Our government has taken decisive action on Iran. We have worked deliberately and strategically with our partners to apply pressure on the Iranian regime.

The Albanese government has sanctioned 200 Iranian linked persons and entities, including almost 100 IRGC linked individuals and entities. Those opposite, when they were in government, did not place a single sanction. We led efforts to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women, while those opposite said nothing. We co-sponsored the Human Rights Council's investigation into abuse inside Iran. We strengthened Australia's sanctions framework so we can better target Iranian officials who oppress their own people, including women and girls. We have consistently raised our concerns directly with Iran. We did this work carefully with our partners because that's how you apply real pressure on a dangerous regime.

In speaking on this motion, I wish to remind those people who seek to use this issue for political benefit to reflect again on the words of the Foreign minister yesterday. Consider whether your actions are helping. There is no place in our country for antisemitism or any other kind of hate and vitriol, and stoking further fear and division in our community is no way to handle a situation like this. Iran's attacks were designed to sow hatred and fear here in Australia. It is our responsibility as leaders in this chamber and as leaders in our communities to stand against this hate, to protect our communities and to defend our democracy.

This government is taking antisemitism seriously. We take our national security seriously. We are protecting Australians. We are sending a clear message to any state or actor who wishes to do us harm.