Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. Mr Morrison stood up this morning to say that it's a great shame the Treasurer has to be offered personal protection because of his Jewish faith. LNP MP George Christensen has previously appeared on a Neo-Nazi podcast and has repeatedly posted anti-Semitic content on his telegram referencing the 'great reset' and 'global elites' as well as anti-Semitic imagery. Does Mr Morrison think these anti-Semitic posts from Mr Christensen are not serious enough to even warrant a conversation with Mr Christensen?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As Senator Cash was discussing, discrimination, the promotion of extremism or attempts to vilify have no place, whether they be on the grounds of somebody's gender, sexuality, age, race or faith, and all of those matters rightly deserve condemnation. Senator Keneally is making a number of assertions in relation to what is being posted by the member for Dawson. I don't have details of those, but I'm sure that, if Senator Keneally wishes, she can provide them to me at a later point. Obviously, we would condemn any such actions that promoted anti-Semitism, just as we would condemn them if they were promoting any sense of lack of tolerance for people of any other faith, or for any other attribute that is worthy of respect.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Keneally, a supplementary question?

Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table a copy of the social media posts that I just referred to.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted.

Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Christensen has posted about Premier Palaszczuk, inciting comments featuring images of her with a hook nose and violent threats such as suggesting a noose was needed, sharing details of which venues she visits, suggesting someone harass her, asking where Lee Harvey Oswald is, and calling for public execution from a tree. Does Mr Morrison think Mr Christensen's posts are not serious enough to even warrant a conversation with him?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

(—) (): As I said before and many times during the course of this week—and as the Prime Minister has said in relation to condemning those who seek to incite any violence—we do not accept any role for those who promote violence or intolerance, particularly on grounds relating to faith or to any of the other personal attributes of which I spoke before. There are clear pathways for action to be taken. Senator Keneally has referenced some of those earlier this week regarding whether certain matters had been referred to the police or otherwise, but in relation to these sorts of posts Senator Keneally may find it helpful, if she wants to ask about these things, to provide copies of them in advance—(Time expired)

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Keneally, a second supplementary question?

Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table the posts that I just referred to.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There being no objection, leave is granted.

Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will Mr Morrison now speak to Mr Christensen, who has fomented and stoked threats of violence and anti-Semitic sentiment for his own political benefit?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I indicated earlier, both prior to yesterday and subsequent to yesterday, the leader of Mr Christensen's political party, the National Party, has spoken to him.