Senate debates
Thursday, 25 February 2021
Questions without Notice
Racism
2:20 pm
Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. In an extreme act of violence, an Aboriginal woman and her baby were attacked by a Nazi with a flamethrower this week. Why hasn't the Prime Minister had anything to say about this?
Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I thank Senator Thorpe for her question. I am aware of an investigation by the WA Police Force into a reported assault. I have heard media commentary along the lines of that which you have described, Senator Thorpe. Let me make very clear: if those facts are true, then, of course, they are to be completely and utterly condemned. They are shameful. All forms of hatred and division are unacceptable and should be condemned, and I have no doubt—
Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Senator Thorpe, on a point of order?
Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
On relevance. My question is why hasn't the Prime Minister—the so-called leader of this country—said anything?
Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The minister has been speaking for 39 seconds. He was directly discussing the first part of the question, which I think is directly relevant. I have allowed you to restate the second part of the question, but I believe he is being directly relevant by addressing the facts you outlined for context to your question.
Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
As I was mid-sentence saying, I have no doubt the Prime Minister would share my the condemnation, I am sure, of all fair-thinking Australians of the events.
Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Senator Thorpe, a supplementary question?
2:22 pm
Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
This government's silence is violence. Why does this government condone these attacks by saying nothing, which just means you contribute to the problem?
Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I reject the question entirely. The government in no way condones such horrific events and unreservedly condemns them.
Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Senator Thorpe, a final supplementary question?
Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
What are you doing about these white nationalist terrorists? If these terrorists were anything other than white, you would have moved heaven and earth to find them.
2:23 pm
Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The government rejects extremism in all of its forms, including right-wing extremism or any other. Our increase in funding and support for agencies, such as ASIO, to be able to respond to extremism enables the security agencies, as they have done, to identify the rise in different types of extremism, including the rise in right-wing extremism. The government has funded the agencies to do that work, because we know that it needs effective law enforcement and intelligence activities to respond to it. That's why we have taken that action. That's why we support the work of our agencies. We'll continue to do so, regardless of whatever type of extremism it relates to.