Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Australians are rightly appalled at the horrific shootings that took place at Bondi on 14 December. It was an antisemitic, ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on Australian Jews. Our thoughts remain with all those affected, particularly members of our Australian Jewish community. It is essential that Australians come together during this difficult time. How is the Albanese Labor government responding to these horrific events?

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

Thank you to Senator Sheldon for that question. What we know is this: the Bondi terrorist attack of 14 December was an horrific act; it was an horrific act of antisemitic violence; it was an horrific act inspired by ISIS. ISIS is a radical extremist ideology, a perversion of Islam that has no place in our country. It was an attack on Australian Jews, and it was an attack on the Australia we know and the Australia we cherish. Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of those who were killed and those still recovering from injury.

We pay tribute to the emergency services who responded without hesitation and to the everyday Australians who showed such immense courage in the face of terror. We pay tribute to Ahmed al-Ahmed, Sofia and Boris Gurman, Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff and Geffen Bitton. I am pleased that the government was able to facilitate Mr Bitton's return to Israel for medical treatment.

In response to this attack, the Albanese government has sought to unite the country, whilst taking strong action to crack down on hate, radicalisation and antisemitism. We've established the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, supported by Dennis Richardson's independent review into the federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It will investigate antisemitism in Australia. It will make recommendations to assist federal agencies to tackle antisemitism. It will examine the circumstances of the terror attack, and it will make other recommendations to strengthen social cohesion and counter the spread of ideologically and religiously motivated extremism in this country. We want to strengthen social cohesion and bring people together. (Time expired)

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

Senator Sheldon, first supplementary?

Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australians expect their leaders to work together to eliminate antisemitism and strengthen our social cohesion. What other actions have the Albanese Labor government taken since the attack to tackle antisemitism and keep Australians safe?

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

This government has acted to confront antisemitism. This government has acted to crack down on extremism and hatred, and this government has acted always in the spirit of national unity. We have introduced new powers for the Minister for Home Affairs to reject visas or cancel visas for those who spread hate and division. The eSafety Commissioner, the special envoy and the Minister for Communications are working to address antisemitism online, and we are building on the envoy's plan to combat antisemitism—an aspect of which included racial vilification, something that I note that those opposite have walked away from, despite calling—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! All senators across the chamber will come to order! Every senator will have an opportunity to make a contribution if they wish but not now during question time.

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

We've invested in immediate mental health support for those who are dealing with the trauma of Bondi, and we will keep working to bring Australians together because hatred and extremism can never divide us in this country.

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

Senator Sheldon, second supplementary?

Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why is it important for the Albanese Labor government to respond to these events by taking action to enact gun reform and strengthen hate laws and migration controls?

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

When the Prime Minister announced his intention to recall parliament and to legislate in the way that we have described he said that those who had committed this horrendous act at Bondi had 'hatred in their minds and lethal weapons in their hands'. This parliament and this government need to address both. We are seeking to get dangerous guns off our streets with the largest national buyback since 1996. There are also the gun reforms limiting the number of firearms to be held by any one individual, because someone in suburban Sydney probably doesn't need six guns. They limit open-ended licensing and allow additional use of criminal intelligence to underpin firearms licensing, and our reforms ensure that only Australian citizens can own guns. These are important reforms that continue the work of John Howard, Tim Fischer and Kim Beazley. (Time expired)