David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Wong. This morning a US attack class nuclear submarine fired a torpedo and sank an Iranian frigate in international waters off the coast of Sri Lanka. The most recent data from your government says there were between 50 to 100 Australian personnel currently embedded on US nuclear-powered attack submarines in the region. Were any Australian personnel on this US submarine when it sank the Iranian frigate and left the survivors to drown?

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

I have seen those reports and I have also seen, before I came to question time, what the US has said about why that vessel was sunk and what it was preparing to strike. I would refer you to that. The US submarine operations are a matter for the United States. You ask about Australian Defence Force personnel. As I have told you before in a number of other contexts, for operational and security reasons, we do not disclose specific information regarding Australian personnel.

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

Senator Shoebridge, a first supplementary?

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No answer. On Monday morning, two American P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance planes flew from the US military base in Diego Garcia.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Senator Shoebridge, please resume your seat until I get order. You have the right to be heard in silence. Start the question again, Senator Shoebridge, and I expect Senator Shoebridge to be heard in silence.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Monday morning, two American P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance planes flew from the US military base in Diego Garcia—a main base for the US operations in their illegal war against Iran—to RAAF Base Pearce just outside of Perth. Were these planes used in the bombing of Iran? And will the government take the same steps as the Spanish government, which actually has some ticker, and prohibit the US from using our bases to conduct the war in Iran?

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

I have a few points. First, obviously, in relation to Diego Garcia, I would refer you to Prime Minister Starmer's and the United Kingdom government's statements about the use of that base. Second, in relation to the US aircraft that you reference, I would say as a general proposition—I know that Greens political party do not agree with this but—US aircraft have been visiting Australia for decades undertaking a range of activities and tasks. This is a longstanding feature of our cooperation with the United States. It occurs in accordance with well-understood policies and procedures and, if I may, with full respect for Australian sovereignty. So that is our response in relation to that. I've already made clear, as has the Prime Minister, that Australia did not participate in the strikes on Iran.

Honourable Senator:

An honourable senator interjecting—

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

Order! Sorry, Senator Shoebridge. Resume your seat, please. I made sure that Senator Shoebridge was able to ask his question in complete silence, and that is what I expect when his second question is asked and when the minister gets up to respond.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, it's clear that your government's commitment to AUKUS has denied our country the ability to make independent foreign policy decisions. The Canadian Prime Minister asked today: 'Will middle powers come together to stand up for collective values, or will we let the hegemons dictate outcomes?' Minister, will your government let the US decide our policy, or will you cancel AUKUS?

Honourable Senator:

An honourable senator interjecting—

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

Order! I'm waiting to call the minister, and there needs to be silence.

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

I'd make a few points, if I may, Senator Shoebridge. The first is on the question of sovereignty. Unlike you, we do not believe that sovereignty means isolation. What it does mean is that Australian governments can make their decisions about what Australia does or does not do. And I would refer you, because, I assume, you do look at these matters, to the various statements that the Deputy Prime Minister has made, including in the House—my recollection is: a ministerial statement or similar—where he outlines the way in which the sovereignty arrangements have been updated for us, for the country, in relation to AUKUS but built on the existing sovereignty arrangements which exist. So I disagree with you on the basic premise of your question, which I think sets up a false binary that says: 'You can't have an alliance and be a sovereign nation.' Actually, alliances are about protecting your sovereignty, because they are about making sure that you can— (Time expired)

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

Senator Shoebridge, second supplementary?

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the question was clear. Acknowledging the very real impact of sovereignty on Australia, with US nuclear submarines stationed here—we built the bases for them: $8 billion of Australian public money for building the bases for US nuclear submarines—how do you match our utter dependence on the United States, on personnel, on procurement, and our inability to stand up with an illegal war? How do you really match our utter dependence as a vassal with any kind of independent sovereignty? (Time expired)

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

What this government always seeks to do is to ensure the safety and security of Australians and of this country. Unlike you, we don't believe that that is lessened through an alliance; in fact, we recognise the benefit that the alliance can bring—recognising that we always have to have it within an appropriate sovereignty framework. You have so many examples, including from the country represented today in the chamber, of what can happen if deterrence is insufficient. We will invest in deterrence, because, to keep the peace, you need also to have strong deterrence, and deterrence is part of ensuring peace and stability. And that is what we seek to do.