Jessica Collins (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is an historic week for all freedom-loving people of Australia and indeed the world. The occupation of Persian Iran by the despotic Islamic Republic is being shattered by the joint forces of Israel and America. For 47 years, the people of Iran have been subjected to a brutal regime with little sign that their suffering would end. This decisive military campaign from the United States over the past five days is in the interests of the Iranian people. It is in the interests of the Australian people, who under this Labor government are watching social cohesion and basic safety deteriorate. We, in the coalition, will protect Australians' way of life, because protecting our way of life is in the interests of all democratic and freedom-loving people right across this wonderful world of ours.

The goal of the military intervention in Iran, to stop this Islamic regime murdering women, men and children with impunity and to instead install a democratic government, is a noble goal and a goal I wholeheartedly back. Over 30,000 innocent Iranians have been murdered by this regime just in the past few months for daring to challenge the now dead Ayatollah for their freedoms. Thousands more face executions. Millions more face suppression, and yet the good Persian people continue to rise up. The moral clarity of both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump has allowed them to put the safety of their peoples, the security of Western liberal values and the United Nations principle of the responsibility to protect at the forefront of their foreign policy. If only we had such conviction at home.

While American and Israeli war fighters put their own lives at risk to defeat the Islamic Republic of Iran, to obliterate its nuclear ambitions and to free its people from oppression, we have seen remarkable scenes of jubilation and relief from everyday Iranians. What I've found most uplifting, from all the scenes of joy from a people who have known little hope for 47 years, is the accounts of women at the forefront of these celebrations. Women have been the most persecuted and repressed by this abhorrent regime. They have had their freedom of religion, freedom of self-determination and even their freedom to choose the clothes that they wear and the jobs that they hold be crushed by the Ayatollah and his mullahs. Let us not forget who these Persian people are fighting against. The extremists of the Islamic Republic of Iran want to turn back the clock on women's rights to the 14th century.

These extreme fundamentalists running one of the world's oldest civilisations under extreme religious principles believe that the rape of a wife is not a crime. These evil dictators believe child marriage is sanctified by their religion and sexual slavery is the price of losing a war. They believe Jews should be killed, wherever they can be found, and that little girls and boys are the property of old men. These are extremist, misogynistic and evil tyrants. The world is better off with the Ayatollah and his most senior officials dead.

Now, thanks to this decisive action, we have seen women gathering en masse on the streets of Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz. They have been throwing off the burqa, ejecting morality police from their trains and burning portraits of their dictators. They have screamed with absolute delight at the destruction of their enemies. These actions risk imprisonment and death. These women are brave beyond belief, and they have my utmost respect and admiration. May God bless them as they throw their shackles free.

At home on the streets of Sydney, we have seen our own Persian community celebrate the undoing of their oppressors in Iran, and hasn't it been fantastic to see them waving Australian flags as they protest the brutal Iranian regime and celebrate freedom? That is modern Australia on display—the Australia that I love—and it is a breath of fresh air from those other protesters, who would defy and disparage Australia. The Iranian regime has sought death and instability for decades. Australians have suffered directly as a result both at home and in the Middle East. Firebombings and terrorist attacks in Sydney and Melbourne followed the murder of an Australian citizen alongside thousands of Jewish people in Israel on October 7, and they weigh on the souls of those Iranian dictators. For years, Australian Defence Force personnel have been attacked by Iranian forces across Iraq and Syria, causing injuries both physical and psychological. The end of the Islamic Republic of Iran cannot come soon enough. This is very important to the coalition. Under a coalition government, we will protect Australia's way of life.

While this action is under way in the air by the brave men and women of the Israeli Defence Force and the United States military and on the ground by the Iranian people rising up against their captors, I pray for the safety of both. I pray that the civilians marching for their freedoms find a quick and decisive victory against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. I pray that the brave service men and women return to their families safely and know that their actions helped destroy one of the world's most evil governments. And I pray that the future of Iran is bright, that its best days are ahead and that the sacrifices of those that we have lost in the past 47 years have not been in vain.

The Australian Persian community, particularly in Sydney in my home state, have added an enormous amount to the great Australian story. Their contribution to what makes Australia has been remarkable. It is well recognised and it is celebrated and appreciated. While the Australian Persian community suffer through this challenging time, it's important that they know they're not alone. You are not alone. The coalition, above all others in this place, support you and your struggle for democracy, for your values and for your freedom. Thank you for all that you give to Australia. We support you.