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

I apologise for missing the call, and I appreciate the indulgence. My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion was established to give the community answers, including on the role of the security services, and as one of a number of measures, including a gun buyback, to keep the community safe. Can the minister confirm the government is treating this work with the seriousness it demands, including giving the royal commission the support it needs if it is to establish the truth?

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

The government has made clear its support for the royal commission. The royal commission has very wide powers, substantial powers, that it can choose to exercise, and the conduct of the royal commission is a matter for the royal commission. You, as a lawyer—as you often remind us—would know that it is an independent office appointed by the Crown, and there are powers which reside in the commission which executive government would be bound by. We've made clear we will continue to respect the independence and the work of the commission.

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

Senator Shoebridge, first supplementary?

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

A former ASIO source with direct knowledge of the Bondi gunman has been denied a visa by your government to give evidence, despite the commission saying it's eager to hear from him. Will the government intervene to make sure this evidence reaches the commission and a visa is granted, or is a visa decision being allowed to override the royal commission that the Prime Minister himself set up?

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

I would make two points. The first is the royal commission is independent. The second is the government will continue to act on the advice from security agencies. I appreciate that you have a different view about intelligence and security matters to us—

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Shoebridge, point of order?

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

It's a question of relevance. My question was about Home Affairs. There has been no security assessment banning this individual from coming to the country. It's a red herring.

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

Thank you, Senator Shoebridge. As I've reminded you on previous occasions, a point of order is not an opportunity to debate the matter. The minister is being directly relevant.

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

I'll again say what I said: unlike you, Senator Shoebridge, we will always work to act in the national interest—and that includes considering the advice of intelligence and security agencies. These are decisions which are made in accordance with the statutory framework, and the government respects the independence of the royal commission.

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

Senator Shoebridge, second supplementary?

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

Phase 1 of the gun buyback, which was one of these safety measures, begins on 2 November, covering roughly a quarter of registered firearms in New South Wales. Apart from that, other states and territories are still not locked into a nationally consistent scheme. When will your government secure agreement from every jurisdiction, or do you accept that a patchwork of gun laws leaves this country as exposed as it was before Bondi?

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

I'm not sure the extent to which that's a supplementary on a visa question, but I'll accept it as a matter of courtesy. I'll try and respond. We are pleased that New South Wales is working with the Commonwealth government in relation to the gun buyback, and we would urge all states to engage with the reform in the same way as New South Wales.