Fatima Payman (WA, Australia's Voice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Yesterday it was reported that the Trump administration had instructed US embassies in various countries, including Australia, to collect data on migrant crime statistics to address what it calls the human rights implications and public safety impacts of mass migration. Just yesterday, the Senate resolved to reject the immature stunt that Senator Hanson pulled earlier this week and stand with Australia's multicultural communities. In that context, Minister, will this government similarly condemn this hateful and divisive edict from President Trump?

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

This government will always make decisions about Australia's policies based on what we believe is best for Australia. We are a pluralist nation. We welcome different races, different religions, different views. That is the position of this government, and I think we have demonstrated that.

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

Senator Payman, first supplementary?

Fatima Payman (WA, Australia's Voice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, you said yesterday that modern day Australia is very multicultural, and that multicultural Australia is listening closely. It needs to know whether the government of which you are a part will stand against division, whether it comes from an Australian senator or an American president. So I repeat the question: with respect, will this government condemn this hateful and divisive edict from President Trump? Yes or no.

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

We are responsible for Australian policy. We speak for Australia. As I have repeatedly said over a couple of decades of public life, and as this government has repeatedly said and, I think, demonstrated by who we are, we are a party that supports our pluralist multicultural nation. One in two Australians is born overseas or has a parent born overseas. That is who we are, and we will always defend the principles that I have articulated, including yesterday, as has the Prime Minister.

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

Senator Payman, second supplementary?

Fatima Payman (WA, Australia's Voice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, given the absence of a clear condemnation in your two previous responses, can you explain why the government appears to be willing to defend multicultural Australia only when it's politically convenient?

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

I shall try very hard, Senator Payman, out of respect for a fellow senator, not to be deeply and personally offended by that. There are some of us on this side who have defended multiculturalism for all our lives, and we always will.