Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

You've got Republicans in the United States condemning what is happening. Where is the spine? Where is the forethought? Talk about, 'Shoot now; ask questions later.' The world is in a terribly fragile, complex situation, and the last thing we need to be doing is pumping up the egos of erratic, irresponsible, nasty bullies like Donald Trump.

I've listened to the words from the Australian government ministers over the last 48 hours: 'We've asked those questions of the United States, and we're just doing this.' You do realise this is a war being launched in one of the most volatile regions on the planet? It's not just bombs being dropped on schools in Iran; the entire region is now a tinderbox, and Australia has a responsibility to say, 'No, we're not having anything to do with it.' The lack of moral courage is staggering. It makes me feel sick, frankly—and many other Australians as well—to hear the defence minister weasel his way out of answering direct questions about what is being done from Australia, from the Pine Gap base, to facilitate the bombings that are killing innocent children, mothers and fathers and keeping Australians stranded overseas, separated from their families.

I know the government would prefer we just didn't ask these questions and we didn't have this debate. I get it; it's uncomfortable. Well, war is messy, and it requires questions. If you don't have the ticker and the courage to respond and to be honest with the Australian people, you don't have the courage to hold the decision-making solely among yourselves—and certainly not in secret.

Bill agreed to.

Bill reported without amendment; report adopted.