Opened the debate
Hawke argued that the death of Ayatollah Khamenei represented a significant opportunity for the Iranian people to achieve freedom after decades of oppression under a theocratic regime. Hawke stated that Australia should welcome this development because it aligns with Australian values of political, social, and economic freedom, which attract migrants from conflict zones. Hawke described the Iranian regime as one of the most evil in history, citing the control exerted by morality police over citizens' daily lives, including dress codes and social interactions. Hawke emphasized that the Iranian population had long struggled peacefully against their government, making the current situation a necessary response to state-sponsored terrorism.