House of Representatives

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister expressed sorrow for the grief experienced by the Jewish community and the nation, stating he felt the weight of responsibility for the attack occurring on his watch. He explained that the immediate priority was ensuring national security and preventing further attacks, which involved daily meetings of the National Security Committee and upgrading security measures. He noted that legislation addressing antisemitism was passed in the House of Representatives, although some recommendations from the antisemitism envoy's report were not supported in the Senate. The royal commission was established once a commissioner was appointed and terms of reference were agreed upon with the Jewish community.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister described the Bondi attack as the deadliest on Australian soil, inspired by ISIS, and an attack on Australian values. He stated that the government's priorities were keeping Australians safe, combating hate, and supporting the Jewish community. He announced the establishment of a royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion and noted that laws addressing both the motivation and method of the attack had passed the House. A national day of mourning was scheduled for Thursday to honour the victims and reaffirm unity.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister acknowledged the pain felt by Jewish Australians but rejected the claim that antisemitism began with the election of his government in 2022, citing statistics and statements from previous years showing a rise in incidents under the former government. He listed actions taken by his government, including appointing a special envoy, establishing joint operations between the AFP and ASIO, introducing hate speech laws, banning Nazi symbols, criminalising doxxing, appointing a National Student Ombudsman, creating a hate crimes database, imposing sanctions on Terrorgram, expelling the Iranian ambassador, and directing the eSafety Commissioner to tackle online hate. He concluded by noting the establishment of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

Answer from Richard Marles

The Deputy Prime Minister recalled a visit to a Jewish school in Melbourne where antisemitic slogans had been spray-painted, highlighting the impact on children. He noted that antisemitism had worsened since 7 October 2023, affecting Jewish students and artists. He stated that the government had criminalised more forms of hate speech, appointed an envoy, and committed to implementing the envoy's report. He emphasised that combating antisemitism required rising above party politics, citing the American Jewish Committee's call for unity and warning against politicising the issue.

Answer from Anthony Albanese; Tony Burke

The Prime Minister acknowledged radical Islamic extremism as a major problem, noting that hate preachers and sole actors pose significant threats that are difficult to detect. He stated that the Richardson review would examine these issues. The Minister for Home Affairs added that the counterterrorism and violent extremism strategy was released the previous year and that programs were regularly measured. He noted that since 2014, 189 people had been charged in counterterrorism operations, with 35 currently before the courts, including 18 children. He highlighted that threats were becoming more complex, with mixed ideologies and younger individuals radicalising faster, predominantly online.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the government announced legislative reforms four days after the attack, targeting hate speech and firearms. She noted that the legislation was developed with consultation from experts and the Jewish community. The new laws targeted those spreading hatred and radicalising youth, noting that half of the 35 people currently before the courts for terrorism offences were minors. The laws created a regime for listing organisations promoting hate speech or violence and amended the Migration Act to allow visa refusal or cancellation for hate-motivated conduct. She stated that these measures sent a clear message that such conduct would not be tolerated.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister repeated that he was sorry the attack occurred on his watch. He argued that he would not accept the premise that antisemitism began with his government's election, calling it absurd. He stated he would not let the terrorists off the hook by pretending their actions were not their own responsibility, emphasising that the attack was antisemitic, inspired by ISIS, and carried out by a father and son. He noted that previous tragedies like Port Arthur and the Lindt Cafe siege were handled without political opportunism.

Answer from Tony Burke

The Minister stated that the reforms addressed both the motivation and method of the attack. He clarified that the laws were not a blanket ban and would not affect responsible licence holders, athletes, pest controllers, or farmers. He argued that under the proposed laws, the two attackers would have been able to access zero firearms because only citizens could get licences, and the firearms used would not have been available. He noted that background checks and intelligence sharing would have prevented the issuance of licences to the attackers, and that the opposition voted against these measures.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister described his meetings with Sheina Gutnick and other community leaders as warm and generous, contrasting this with the rhetoric of the opposition. He stated that he had engaged extensively with the Jewish community and that no one who asked to speak to him had been denied a meeting. He listed actions taken, including appointing the Special Envoy, introducing legislation, appointing the National Student Ombudsman, and engaging with the envoy's report. He criticised the opposition for opposing vilification laws and failing to present their own legislative package despite calling for parliament to resume.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the government had established the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell. She noted that Commissioner Bell had the experience to examine the impact of antisemitism on Jewish Australians and promote social cohesion without prejudicing criminal proceedings. The commission had received wide support, including from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. Commissioner Bell was to deliver an interim report before 30 April and a final report before 14 December.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister explained that the immediate priority was ensuring national security and preventing further attacks, which involved daily National Security Committee meetings and cooperation with state police. He noted that the Richardson review was established to examine security agency operations. He stated that the government had initially offered full cooperation to a New South Wales royal commission, which would have effectively made it a Commonwealth inquiry. He emphasised the need to consult with the Jewish community and select the right commissioner, Virginia Bell, to ensure the terms of reference had community support and to avoid risks associated with concurrent criminal proceedings.

Answer from Tony Burke

The Minister referred to the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in the member's electorate. He stated that the AFP had identified an alleged offshore offender, referred to as Person No. 1, as a top priority. This individual, who had been deported, was linked to illicit tobacco trade and violent crimes, including suspected links to the synagogue firebombing. The AFP shared information with international law enforcement, leading to the individual's arrest in Iraq in January. The Minister stated that keeping the individual out of Australia and in custody was the best outcome.

Answer from Mark Butler

The Minister acknowledged the significant increase in longer-stay older patients in hospitals, attributing it partly to the ageing baby boomer population. He stated that the government had funded geriatric outreach teams in South Australia to prevent hospital admissions. He noted that a shortage of residential aged-care beds was a key issue and that the government was designing a new aged-care system to stimulate investment. Talks with state governments regarding a fresh five-year hospital funding deal were underway, aiming to extend arrangements to help patients transition out of hospitals.

Answer from Kristy McBain

The Minister stated that more than $77 million had been committed under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for Victoria, including support for primary producers and disaster recovery payments in 47 locations. For Queensland, more than $66 million had been activated, with emergency fodder drops, grants, and $1112 million for airport repairs announced. She noted that 1,300 structures had been damaged or destroyed in Victoria, and stock losses in Queensland could exceed 50,000. The government continued to work with state governments to provide further assistance.

Answer from Anthony Albanese

The Prime Minister criticised the opposition for calling for parliament to resume and then voting against national security measures, including gun laws and vilification legislation. He stated that the government's process involved seeking advice and working collaboratively with the Jewish community. He argued that the opposition's approach had been to weaken legislation rather than strengthen it. He noted that the government had managed to pass measures despite lacking Senate numbers, highlighting the gap between the opposition's rhetoric and their actions.

Answer from Richard Marles

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the government stood in solidarity with Iranians demonstrating for human rights and condemned the regime's actions. He noted that more than 200 sanctions were in place against individuals and entities, including members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps. He mentioned that Iran had been removed from a UN committee on discrimination against women and that the Iranian ambassador had been expelled. He advised Australians in Iran to leave quickly, noting that consular assistance was limited due to the suspension of embassy operations.

Answer from Richard Marles (Minister for Defence; Deputy Prime Minister)

The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged the member's statement, noting the coalition's support for condemning the Iranian regime and supporting the Iranian people.