Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Macquarie University academic Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah has led children in calls for intifada, and she rejects the idea that Zionists have the right to be culturally safe. The Premier of our home state of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, has said that he is 'of the view that the statements and actions attributed to Dr Abdel-Fattah go beyond reasonable public debate, being antisemitic and hateful at worst and deeply offensive and insulting at best'. Do you agree with Premier Malinauskas that Dr Abdel-Fattah's statements and actions are antisemitic and hateful?

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

I oppose—and all of us should oppose—calls for intifada. I believe Jewish Australians—all Australians—are entitled to cultural safety. My views on these issues are longstanding and have been consistent over many years in public life and over the last few years as Foreign minister. I have consistently made those views clear. In relation to this issue, I've been asked about this on a number of occasions. I have made the point that, as I understand it, the person in question is taking legal action against the Premier. I don't propose to comment any further, but my views on the issues are clear.

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

Senator Ruston, first supplementary?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, given that you apparently agree that Dr Abdel-Fattah's comments and actions are antisemitic—given the answer you gave to my primary question—will you condemn the collective boycott of the Adelaide Writers' Week by supporters of Dr Abdel-Fattah, and could you actually confirm that you do agree that her comments were antisemitic?

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

First, I have been much more focused on the package of gun law reform and hate speech and racial vilification legislation, which we now cannot proceed with, than on some of the issues that you describe. Mr Burke, I think, has responded more broadly. I have made clear my views on the use of those statements, and my views on the use of those statements are consistent. I have made these comments before.

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

Senator Ruston?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I raise a point of order on direct relevance. I think I was very clear and very short in my question, asking whether the minister could confirm that she condemns the comments that were made by Dr Abdel-Fattah and whether she was prepared to condemn the collective boycott of Adelaide Writers' Week by those that are boycotting it.

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

The minister is being clear and direct in her answer to your question.

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

I would also say—and I have been asked about this publicly—that I am a strong supporter, as I think every South Australian is, of the Adelaide Festival and our reputation as the 'festival state'. I'm sure that will continue, and I'm sure it will continue to be internationally renowned. (Time expired)

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

Senator Ruston, second supplementary?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To be perfectly clear, then, Minister, could you please answer me as to whether you support the comments that were made yesterday by Minister Burke, who you've referred to, when he said that dealing with antisemitism is a matter for the festival alone? Do you believe that the matters in relation to antisemitism are a matter for the Adelaide Festival, or do you believe, as your prime minister said, there is no place for antisemitism in this country?

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

I have been on the record, certainly in my time as Foreign minister to date but also all my life, about prejudice being an issue we all have a responsibility to confront. Antisemitism is a hatred that we all have a responsibility to confront. That has been my consistent position, Senator, and it always will be.

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

Senator Ruston, on a point of order?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In relation to direct relevance to the question that I asked, the Prime Minister has made one comment and Minister Burke has made another. I'm just seeking to understand which of those you agree with.

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

Senator Ruston, points of order are not opportunities to make statements. I will address your point of order and say, once again, that the minister is being relevant. Minister Wong, did you wish to continue?

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

I would make this point: I was asked previously, in a different context, about references to intifada, and I'll refer you to those comments, Senator. What I did say was I agreed with Ms Segal—

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Maybe let Don answer. He's prepared to answer.

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

Senator Ruston, you've asked your question.

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

What I said was I agreed with Jillian Segal, the antisemitism envoy, in her views about the way in which those failures have been used to whip up hatred.