Senate

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that Australian citizens are entitled to passports if they meet eligibility requirements, and that passports are only denied or revoked for security reasons when a competent authority like ASIO requests it, which had not occurred. She declined to discuss individual cases but confirmed the government is not assisting the cohort to return to Australia. In response to supplementary questions, she reiterated that the government is not facilitating their return and noted that existing laws, supported by bipartisan agreement, form the legal framework. She mentioned that one individual in the cohort had been issued a temporary exclusion order based on security advice.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister affirmed that Australia supports the actions taken by the US and Israel to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and to protect international peace and security. She highlighted previous government actions, including sanctions on over 200 individuals and designating the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism. She condemned Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attacks and called for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law. In response to supplementary questions regarding Australians in the region, she stated that the crisis centre was activated and registration portals were opened for those in the UAE, Qatar, Iran, and Israel. She estimated approximately 115,000 Australians were in the broader Middle East region and urged them to register for consular assistance.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the government does not mourn the passing of Ayatollah Khamenei, citing his regime's responsibility for sponsoring terrorism and attacks on Australian soil. In response to supplementary questions asking if the government would condemn the services or raise concerns with religious groups, she reiterated that the government does not mourn the ayatollah and stated that the government seeks to strengthen social cohesion.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the government mourns the loss of civilian life and continues to call for the observance of international humanitarian law. She declined to issue a specific condemnation of the strike, maintaining that the government's position is principled and consistent. In response to supplementary questions regarding the legality of the strikes and the use of Australian bases, she affirmed that Australia did not participate in the strikes and that the issue of compliance with international law is for the US and Israel to outline. She also noted that other countries in the region were being attacked by Iran.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that she had previously answered questions about facilities and referred the member to those responses. She highlighted Iranian attacks on Dubai airport and a UK base in Cyprus as part of the broader context. In response to supplementary questions about the 'red line' for opposing the war and the legality of the strikes, she reiterated that Australia did not participate in the strikes and that the issue of compliance with international law is for the US and Israel to outline. She emphasised support for action to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear capability and standing with the Iranian people against oppression.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that Minister Burke had publicly indicated he had no knowledge of Mr Rifi's actions or whereabouts beyond media reports, and that Mr Rifi had not spoken to him about the issue since June of the previous year. In response to supplementary questions about the authorisation of individuals handing over passports and assurances given to Dr Rifi, she stated that individual actions are a matter for those individuals and that she was not aware of any assurances given to Dr Rifi, referring questions about discussions to Minister Burke.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister stated that net overseas migration had declined by more than 40 per cent from its post-COVID peak in 2022-23. He highlighted the government's commitment to building 55,000 social and affordable homes and 100,000 homes for first-home buyers. In response to supplementary questions citing reports on immigration cuts and housing demand, he criticised One Nation for voting against housing bills and stated that the government is managing migration in the national interest while building homes. He argued that the opposition parties are undermining these efforts.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister stated that Australia holds minimum stockholding obligations of 150 per cent for petrol, 134 per cent for jet fuel, and 116 per cent for diesel, with reserves held in domestic infrastructure. He criticised the previous government's energy strategy and highlighted current efforts to secure the electricity system and promote electric vehicles. In response to supplementary questions about refining capacity and specific commitments to new reserves or refineries, he noted that fuel stocks are at their highest level in 15 years and pointed to the national gas reservation scheme and other measures to shore up supply. He also criticised the opposition for campaigning against electric vehicles.

Answer from Penny Wong

The minister stated that the government is not repatriating the cohort and had successfully opposed a court application to do so. She declined to provide specific numbers or details regarding passports or individuals, citing privacy and security reasons. In response to supplementary questions about intelligence reviews and security assessments, she reiterated that the government does not discuss the work of intelligence agencies and that no request for passport cancellation had been made by security agencies.

Answer from Tim Ayres

The minister criticised the previous government's record on energy security and highlighted the current government's focus on delivering cheaper electricity and new generation capacity. In response to supplementary questions about the approach to industrial energy and manufacturing, he stated that the government is working with the aluminium sector and the NSW government to deliver new transmission and generation. He described the government's package as the biggest pro-manufacturing-industry package in history and criticised the opposition for voting against it.