Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
2:12 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The Australian Labor Party posted a meme on their social media platforms on Sunday which is based on a notoriously offensive T-shirt that is currently held by Museums Victoria as an artefact of racism in Australia. The original version of this T-shirt has been worn by white supremacists to express racism sentiments, including by neo-Nazi Michael Harcrow. Will the minister make a clear promise to the Australian public that the Labor Party will not promote any further racist, hate based material in their desperate pursuit of a baseless scare campaign?
Sue Lines President
Before I invite Minister Wong, I am failing to see how this relates to portfolio matters. I'm advised by the clerk that she is struggling to see that as well. I invite Minister Wong to respond to the question in whatever way she thinks is appropriate.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2:13 pm
We are a party that has a long history of standing against racism, and we always will. Unlike those opposite, we do not believe people have a right to be a bigot. Unlike those opposite, we do not believe people have a right to offend others. It was you and your party, including Senator Cash and Senator Paterson, who wanted to remove those protections from section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Our position on racial discrimination is clear, it is consistent and it will always be thus.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
2:14 pm
Minister, in reference to the article in the Sydney Morning Herald today, the Australian Labor Party has defended the use of this racist and offensive T-shirt by stating that your party is 'seeking to reach everyone with our message'. Is this an acknowledgment that the Labor Party is so desperate to whip up a new scare campaign that you're even willing to promote racist material used by white supremacists?
Sue Lines President
Thank you, Senator Ruston. Again, that is not a portfolio-matter question, but the minister is entitled to respond if she so chooses.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2:15 pm
I refer to my previous answer. Opposition against racism is clear across our party. Can you say the same, Senator?
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Hon. Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
Order! Senator Ruston is on her feet.
Senator Ayres, order! Senator Ruston, second supplementary?
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
Senator Wong, given the article in the Sydney Morning Herald today and the Prime Minister's response to that article, where he failed to condemn it, you say that the government and the Labor Party do not stand for racism or support this kind of behaviour—white supremacist support. Can you be clear and give a full condemnation of the post?
Sue Lines President
Before I call the minister, I am ruling the question in order because it refers to a statement made by the Prime Minister.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Hon. Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Order! I am asking for order and silence.
Tim Ayres NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade
You must have had a pretty ordinary tactics meeting this morning.
James Paterson Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security
You think it's a joke. A racist T-shirt's a joke?
Sue Lines President
Senator Paterson and Senator Ayres, order! If you can't remain silent, leave the chamber. Silence is what I've asked for.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I condemn racism in all its forms. I condemn racism and prejudice when it is—how is that not relevant?
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
I draw your attention to the question and relevance. I was asking about a condemnation of a post, not a general view.
Sue Lines President
The minister is just into her response and, so far, I think she is being relevant. Please continue, Minister.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
We condemn racism is all its forms, in all circumstances. I condemned it when your Attorney-General stood here and said, 'People have a right to be bigots'. I don't remember any of you condemning it then. We condemned it when you, Senator Cash, and you, Senator Paterson, said that the protections for people in this country against offensive language, language that was designed to offend—we said no to your desire to take those protections out of the Racial Discrimination Act. It is—
Sue Lines President
Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Ruston, a point of order?
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
On relevance, I've merely asked the minister if she will condemn the post.
Sue Lines President
Senator Ruston, the minister is in order. I invite the minister to continue her response and I expect her to be heard in silence.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Absolutely. I'm surprised I would even have to say this. Of course we should all stand against white supremacism, and I for one have been on the receiving end of some of what they have said and done. (Time expired)
Sue Lines President
Just a moment, Senator McKim. It's disrespectful to me, when I've asked for silence—and I heard Senator McKenzie first, immediately. Senator Cash and Senator McGrath, 'silence' means silence. Be respectful towards my orders.