Sean Bell (NSW, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question goes to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Minister, following the terrorist attacks in Bondi—the deadliest in our nation's history—the Prime Minister has failed to acknowledge that radical Islamic extremism was the driving ideology behind it. You cannot defeat what you won't define. The Prime Minister has muddied the waters. This refusal to clearly name the threat has allowed this threat to spread unchecked, and as a result Australians have been placed in danger. When will the Prime Minister finally concede that refusing to name radical Islamic extremism as the driver of this terrorist attack on Australians makes future attacks more likely and helps antisemitism continue to spread unchecked?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You just voted against the bill to stop hate preachers!

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

Senator Watt, come to order!

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

Senator Bell, first, the Prime Minister, Mr Burke, myself—we have all identified very clearly, on the advice of the AFP and ASIO, which have also been part of the public discussion and public reports, that this is an antisemitic terrorist attack that was inspired by ISIS, which is an organisation that peddles hatred and is inspired by a radical perversion of Islam. We have said that.

Second, I'm seeking, in a time when we are grieving the worst terrorist attack in Australian history, not to engage in partisanship. I would say this, Senator: your party just voted against bills which enable the government to crack down on hate groups. Your party voted against legislation which was all about tackling hate. So your party has come out against—

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

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

Order on my right!

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

Your party just voted against laws which enable tougher being taken action on visas—both the cancellation of visas and the refusal of visas. So, Senator Bell, to come in here and say you want stronger action taken on hate whilst your party over there votes against legislation which would enable stronger protection on migration in terms of visas for hate preachers and others—your party voted against laws which are designed to crack down on those who preach hatred and organisations which do that. With respect, I think that is not a consistent position. (Time expired)

Government senators interjecting—

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

Order! Order on my right! I've called for order three times. I should not have to do that. Senator Bell, first supplementary?

Sean Bell (NSW, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, you talk about hatred and you talk about perversions, but we want you to talk clearly about radical Islamic extremism and this government's failure to enforce existing laws since the October 7 attacks two years ago.

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

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

Order, again, on my right! The senator has the right to have his question heard in silence.

Sean Bell (NSW, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The refusal to unequivocally call out radical Islamic ideology, driving antisemitism in Australia, has allowed this problem to escalate into a terrorist attack on Jewish Australians. When will this government accept responsibility?

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

The bill that has just passed the House and that you will have the opportunity to consider shortly is a bill that, amongst other things, enables the Minister for Home Affairs to cancel or refuse a visa for people who want to come here and spread hate. It's a bill your colleagues voted against, and I would ask you—if your position is that you want government to be able to crack down on those who spread hate—to reconsider your position on this legislation between now and when it comes to this chamber.

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

Senator Bell, second supplementary?

Sean Bell (NSW, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, you talk about passing legislation to deal with the problem, but what we've actually seen today occur in this parliament is a farce. Your government, with help from the Liberals on one hand and the Greens on the other, are rushing through massive changes to our nation's laws with no real scrutiny—two bills—and you are shutting down debate. When will your prime minister accept responsibility for this farce and resign?

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

Senator, we believe that the worst terrorist event on Australian soil in our history requires a serious response—a responsible and serious response—and that is the approach the government is taking. With respect, that question was not a serious response.