David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question without notice is to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence. Noting that a recent Department of Defence media release stated 'more than 70 Australian companies have directly shared more than $4.13 billion in global F-35 production and sustainment contracts' and that earlier this month it was revealed that Israel has been ordering F-35 spare parts from global suppliers for the F-35s it is using in the bombardment of Gaza, can the minister confirm whether or not Australia is or will be supplying F-35 parts to the State of Israel?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I first say that, given some of the events this week, I encourage all in here not to continue to promulgate some of the disinformation on social media. There's been a lot of disinformation on social media about what Australia is doing. I am advised that Australia has not supplied weapons to Israel since the Hamas-Israel conflict began and I am advised that that has been the case for at least the last five years.

I also make the point—and I trust that the senators down that end might do their part to push back on this disinformation—that the Australian government has not had any involvement in the conduct of the military conduct in Gaza. Given some of the misinformation on social media and the distress, anger and, frankly violent behaviour that we have seen, I trust that those in positions of authority might exercise—I'm not surprised you take a point of order at that!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Shoebridge?

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point of order is about relevance. The question was about whether or not Australia is or will be supplying F-35 parts to the state of Israel. The minister's response is not relevant.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister is being relevant.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[inaudible] that, when he is asked to consider his responsibilities to the chamber, he takes a point of order, and he's doing it again.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister is now (a) making a personal reflection and (b) clearly being not relevant to the question, which is: is or will Australia be supplying F-35 parts to the state of Israel?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Shoebridge. I will draw the minister back to the question, and the minister was not making a personal reflection.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If we want to talk about personal reflections, we might want to go back to yesterday, but I'm happy to respond—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, please resume your seat. I have Senator Shoebridge on his feet. Senator Shoebridge?

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister flouted your ruling and sought to again not be relevant and reduce to mudslinging.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Shoebridge, resume your seat.

Senator Watt, I am responding. The minister had just stood again and begun her response. Minister, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm just waiting for you to stand before I speak, because you just like to do that! Do you want to do that? Come on!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Wong, I am going to draw you back to the question

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I responded to your question, I think, in the first 20 seconds—that the advice I have from Defence is that Australia has not supplied weapons to Israel since the conflict began—and I again reiterate that there is a lot of disinformation on social media. I invite Senator Shoebridge and his leader to perhaps make sure they don't promulgate it as well. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Shoebridge, first supplementary?

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given the criticism by Oxfam America and Amnesty International that the provision of 155-millimetre artillery shells to the State of Israel for use in Gaza undermined the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law, what, if any, guarantees can you give that Australian 155-millimetre artillery shells produced by NIOA munitions at Maryborough will not be directly exported to the State of Israel in the future or indirectly sent for use in Gaza through the US under the approved community export arrangements with the US?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think, to be clear about the question, I have responded on the advice I have, which is that Australia has not supplied weapons to Israel since the Hamas-Israel conflict began and for at least the last five years. I think I understand from the question that I am asked to rule out something that may or may not happen in the future.

Right. Well, that's not an appropriate question for question time. I can tell you what our response is. I can tell you what the advice is. But you are trying—

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You don't want to answer.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, you know what it is? You are trying to make this a political issue in here, and I am saying to you it is utterly irresponsible, given what is happening out there in the community, for you to be backing in some of the misinformation and disinformation on social media. It is irresponsible. Your party should take some control of what you are doing. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Shoebridge, second supplementary?

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, what response do you have to the criticism published today by the Australian Institute of International Affairs that the lack of transparency around Australia's military exports leaves the government exposed to criticisms that Australian exported weapons could be used in conflicts like Gaza and that, without change, it risks Australia's credibility as a sponsor of the rules based international order?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the senator would be aware, we have initiated a review of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 to ensure it remains effective, efficient and fit for purpose. I think the senator has been advised of that previously. In relation to the point about the international rules based order, that is an important point. That goes to who we are. You might recall, Senator, the motion you voted against in this chamber, the bipartisan motion on this conflict that you voted against, talked about in—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Shoebridge! Minister, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The motion that your party voted against in this chamber—

Wow! Pfft! The motion that your party voted against in this chamber referenced, specifically, international humanitarian law, because that is an important national interest for Australia, and it is disappointing that you voted against it.