Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. It is ordinary people who suffer from war, whether it's civilians being killed throughout the Middle East or Australians feeling more economic pain, whilst big corporations make money off that suffering. In 2022, in the wake of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and the global gas crisis that followed, Woodside's profits doubled and Santos pocketed $3½ billion. Already we've seen Woodside's and Santos's share prices rise more than seven per cent in just four days since the illegal strikes on Iran, and investors expect more windfall profits for gas companies. Your government was the first to support this illegal war. What will your government do to stop big corporations profiteering off Trump and Netanyahu's illegal war?

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

The first point I'd make is the numbers I've been focused on have not been anybody's share price. The numbers I've been focused on are the numbers of Australians who are in the Middle East—and what we can do to support them and what we can do to facilitate them getting home. That is the first point I'd make. The second point is you're right; ordinary people do suffer in conflict. I'd invite you to consider the number of citizens who have been killed or injured by Iran's actions over decades. This did not start with the strikes on Saturday. This has been a long period of destabilising, aggressive terrorist sponsorship by Iran over decades, including of Hamas and Hezbollah, and we all know what that has meant. That is a reality that I understand you don't wish to engage with, but it is a reality.

The second point I'd make is—you referenced Ukraine. I don't think anybody in this chamber would think that Iran is Ukraine. Iran is not Ukraine. Iran has been a state sponsor of terrorism, including in this country—in your country. It has participated in attacks on Australians in our country. In terms of civilians, from the very first moment we called for and we will continue to call for international humanitarian law to be observed by all parties. We have done that consistently because we do believe that the protection of civilians matters. (Time expired)

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

Senator Waters, first supplementary?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Oil and gas companies profit from war, but they also profit from the elaborate con that is the petroleum resources rent tax. The PRRT is readily gamed by the gas industry, who are destroying the planet and profiteering off war and global unrest while the rest of us foot the bill for the damage. This government gives gas exporters more than half the gas they export royalty free. In the next five years, that's $170 billion. Why won't the government tax gas at 25 per cent or even higher?

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

I would ask that the President consider how that is possibly a supplementary question to the primary.

Honourable Senator:

An honourable senator interjecting—

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

Government works on, with respect—I suppose it's a point of order. Is it? Do you want me to take a point of order?

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

Yes.

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

Perhaps I should take a point of order.

An honourable senator interjecting—

I'm trying to respect that. On the point of order—

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I asked you in your capacity as minister.

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

Senator Waters!

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

The fact that the Greens political party have a particular view about the motivations of certain companies does not make a supplementary question relevant to the primary. This is a different portfolio. We have segued from a national security issue and an assertion about that.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Point of order.

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

I haven't finished. I'm on the point of order.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Oh, I thought you were wasting your time.

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

Senator Hanson-Young, withdraw that.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

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

It doesn't make it relevant to then go to the Treasury portfolio. I'm just making a point about, maybe, people asking questions in the way the Westminster system envisages.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order—the question was asked to Senator Wong in her capacity as representing the Prime Minister.

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

Yes, thank you, Senator Hanson-Young. I have sought the advice of the Clerk, and the question is relevant to the primary question.

Senator Waters, I think the minister is still answering.

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

I've accepted the ruling, and I'm moving on, Senator Waters. I would say to you that I am advised that the oil and gas industry contributed almost $12 billion in taxes in 2023-24.

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

Senator Waters, second supplementary?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australians' hearts will break from the toll of this war and so could their wallets. In the extremely likely event that we start to see corporate price gouging as a result of this illegal war, peoples' groceries and power bills will go through the roof again. Will the government finally agree to work with the Greens and make corporate price gouging illegal?

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

Again, I think that's a topic that, I assume, would be in the Treasury portfolio—price gouging. My recollection is—

An honourable senator: You're repping the PM. You've got this. You can answer.

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

Uh-uh, you need to come to order, thank you. The minister has the right to be heard in silence. Minister Wong, did you wish to continue?

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

That's a very gendered comment from your colleague. You might want to mention to him. Senator—

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

Order! Minister Wong, I've got another senator on their feet. Please resume—

Just a moment, Senator Ayres. I haven't called you. Senator Ayres.

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The point of order is that it continued all through yesterday. It's happening again. I just ask you to request that the Greens senators have a little bit of decency.

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

You will note that I did ask for order. I expect there to be order.

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

Again, this is probably a matter for the Minister representing the Treasurer. My recollection, Senator, and I will check if I'm wrong, is that the Treasurer has made a series of announcements around price-gouging, including working with the ACCC and the grocery code of conduct.