Topics: Melbourne synagogue arson attack; Albanese Government abandons allies at UN; Senate departure;
09:25AM AEDT
6 December 2024
Laura Jayes: Let’s go live to the Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Birmingham. Simon, thanks so much for standing by and for your patience. First of all, if I could get your reaction to this synagogue fire in Melbourne.
Simon Birmingham: LJ, this is a shocking and appalling incident, and it really is the realisation of the worst fears for many in Australia’s Jewish community. They have seen since October 7th last year that their community has sadly been the subject of all too many attacks. Far too much vilification. And with that, it has tragically spurred this rise in anti-Semitism and hatred and whilst none of us can know precisely what is behind this attack at this time, it certainly will play into the fears of those who worry as they drop their kids off to schools that require armed guards. Who worry that they can’t wear their religious garments in public. Who worry that their families aren’t safe when they go to their places of worship, and this just underscores all of those worries.
Laura Jayes: Is there a link between the government and its stance at the UN on things like we’ve seen overnight, which seems to be more anti-Israel than we have been in the past, and these kinds of attacks?
Simon Birmingham: I think there is a link in totality between the politicisation of the conflict in the Middle East, the bringing of that conflict into our own society so tragically. And the politicisation in part is, of course, because of the analysis of changes in government position. And the Albanese Government did break its word to Australia’s Jewish community. It said before the last election there was no difference between the parties of government in Australia. In reality, after elected even before October 7th, they started changing some of Australia’s voting positions, changing some of Australia’s approaches in international engagement, and that has only heightened over the period of the last 12 months, where it’s all very well for government ministers to say Australia’s always supported a two-state solution. But what’s changed fundamentally under the Albanese Government are the terms that have been applied to that, the preconditions applied to that and the first and foremost of those preconditions being security and mutual recognition for the state of Israel and for the Palestinian people as well. Ensuring that difficult questions like borders and rights of return are properly addressed, not just cast aside as some matter for another day. These are the fundamental things that are necessary to give security, and that security necessary for then a peaceful and enduring two-state solution to actually be achieved.
Laura Jayes: What do you make of the significance of Benjamin Netanyahu saying that the vote and the way Australia voted at the UN is inviting terrorism? I mean, that’s not exactly diplomatic, is it?
Simon Birmingham: Well, tragically, the shift in Australia’s position is something that would be welcomed by those who want to see countries like Australia shift and change their position, and to leave Israel more isolated. And who wants to see Israel more isolated, well Iran does and the terrorists they sponsor do. So it is understandable as to why the government of Israel and the people of Israel and Australia’s Jewish communities feel so let down and abandoned at this time because of those changes that the Albanese government has undertaken and in undertaking those changes, it is ultimately a change that will be welcomed by those who ignited the horrors of October 7th by the other terrorists who attack Israel and wish to see its destruction. And it is a wicked problem. None of us pretend that Middle East peace is available in the next day, or two or week or two. We know how enduring the problem has been, but it’s not going to be achieved if terrorists continue to feel that their actions will yield progress towards what ultimately is their goal, which, of course, is to see the destruction of Israel and the removal of a Jewish state in that region.
Laura Jayes: Let me ask you about this new poll today, the first poll that shows that Peter Dutton and the Coalition might be able to win this thing next year, the next federal election, might you change your mind and stay?
Simon Birmingham: [Laughs] I said to Peter when I told him no more than a month ago now about my intended announcement that he was making this bloody hard for me, that as he kept increasing the competitiveness and got us into a position where the party could win, and indeed I might be walking away from the prospect of being the country’s next foreign minister. And so, I understand that. But it’s a lot bigger than me. I’m making my decisions for the right reasons, for my career, my family. For the country I do want to see Peter succeed and the team succeed. I think he is framing a positive vision, not just for the next few months to win an election or the next few years to get through a first term, and the type of policies that Peter Dutton is thinking about in terms of the nuclear energy pathway, and the way in which he would approach government are about the decades to come. And that really is going to be a strong, positive agenda at a time when Australians are clearly feeling the pinch in the short term, and I think are looking for leaders to show that type of strength and vision.
Laura Jayes: Well, the strength of the Liberal Party has always been the two factions, the conservatives and the moderates. There’s been much musing about what your departure as a leading moderate might mean for the party. Did that weigh heavily on you? And who do you pass the baton to?
Simon Birmingham: Look, it weighs on me to a degree, but none of us is irreplaceable. You know, there are good people, Senate colleagues, be they Jane Hume on the frontbench or be it people like Andrew Bragg and Maria Kovacic, you know, newer senators who are coming through. There are some great candidates we have in the seats that we need to win back, who I really hope to see step up and play big, big roles in the years to come. I am confident that Peter is a leader of the Howard modal, who, though a conservative in his thinking, it’s a very practical, non-ideologically based or driven conservatism that he has. And it’s one where, like John Howard, he recognises the party does require the two wings and to be able to fly and to be that true custodian of liberal thinking as well as conservative thinking.
Laura Jayes: So, where do you think the party goes after the election of Donald Trump? I have noted that some on the right are very much up and about, about what that might mean for the Coalition. What’s your message to them?
Simon Birmingham: Stick to our values and our values as a party need to be in touch and in keeping with modern Australia and modern Australia is a very tolerant and inclusive country. We’re not a country that I think wants to see lots of tribalism and lots of different sectors carved up, and that’s a message for the left to not seek to create special interests all over the place. But nor are we a country that is disrespectful to people who in their own lives, choose to go about their lives in different ways, but also be true to our values when it comes to being a liberal, economically focused market economy. And so that also means, you know, standing up for open trade. And here in this region, the Asia Pacific region, the South East Asia in particular, we have thrived as a country as a result of the growth in trade and openness across this region. And that is what’s going to best protect us and buffer us as a country from all that is occurring elsewhere. So, do not buy into the trade wars. Make sure that our partnerships with countries across the region, preserve what has made this country so strong over the last few decades.
Laura Jayes: You’re old school when it comes to really engaging in debate and the contest of ideas. Because I’ll tell you what, not everyone in that place is willing to be part of that debate, even though I would argue it’s their primary job. Thank you for your service. This is, of course, not the last time I’m going to speak to you, Birmo, but you are certainly a loss to the party and a loss to that Parliament. And I hope you felt appreciated on your last day in Parliament, at least. Unless it sits again next year, of course.
Simon Birmingham: Thanks, LJ. It’s very touching for you to say so, and I look forward to us chatting again at least next week. And look, many people have been very, very kind, which is lovely of them. But, you know, sort of we will all go on to, to new things and I’ll contribute to Australia just in a different way.
Laura Jayes: Yeah, I’m sure you will. We’ll speak next week. See you soon.
Simon Birmingham: Thanks so much. Cheers.
[ENDS]