Topics: Australia’s terror threat level raised; Anti-semitic remarks by Iranian Ambassador; Middle East tensions
06:45AM AEST
6 August 2024
Topics: Australia’s terror threat level raised; Anti-semitic remarks by Iranian Ambassador; Middle East tensions
06:45AM AEST
6 August 2024
Kenny Heatley: Well, joining me live now is Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham. Simon, thanks for joining us.
Simon Birmingham: Good morning.
Kenny Heatley: The Prime Minister has accused the Greens party of fuelling the community divisions that have prompted ASIO to raise the terrorism threat level from possible to probable. Do you agree with the Prime Minister and what is your reaction to the raised terror threat level?
Simon Birmingham: Well, this announcement by ASIO is very sobering indeed. It’s a reminder of the division and disharmony that has been stoked, tragically, since the October 7th terrorist attacks by Hamas and the way that anti-semitism has lifted in our country and sadly, was left unchecked for far too long and we needed to see stronger response to that. Yes, we see the Greens and others stoking and driving that division further. Then we also see reprehensible acts such as Iran’s ambassador to Australia openly calling for the elimination of all Jews from Israel. Now that type of commentary is of course disgusting but is also seeking to stoke further division and it is totally, totally inappropriate for an ambassador of foreign country resident in our nation to be fuelling those sentiments. And we need a far stronger response from Anthony Albanese and the Labor Government than we’ve had to date. Those sorts of remarks, which, when asked about them yesterday, Anthony Albanese said he was unaware. Well today somebody in the Albanese Government better have made themselves aware and be clear about what action they’re taking, with remarks that may well be in breach of Australia’s hate speech law coming from Iran’s ambassador to Australia.
Kenny Heatley: Yeah. Okay. So just more on that. So Foreign Minister Penny Wong has responded to that overnight, saying in part those comments are inflammatory and they are repugnant. They are inconsistent with Australian values. What are you hoping happens here? You say you want more from the Government in reaction to this particular tweet by Iran’s ambassador to Australia, what would you like to see happen?
Simon Birmingham: Well, the Government firstly, need to be clear whether any assessment has been made if potentially Australian laws have been broken. And though diplomatic immunities apply to an individual such as an ambassador, if those laws have been broken, there are options available to the government in terms of sanctions, whether that is a calling in, or indeed invoking article 9 of the Vienna Convention that enables the government to declare an individual, a diplomat from another country, persona non grata in our nation. These are all options that are available to the Albanese Government. It is for them to respond. Iran has been the main and prime driver of global division and hate since October 7th by sponsoring Hamas, sponsoring Hezbollah, sponsoring the Houthi rebels. But now we have their ambassador to Australia bringing that hatred and division into our nation. It is something I condemn unequivocally, as does the Coalition, and we need to see clear action from the Albanese Government. Calling it out as repugnant is good, but there is action required and that is why the government needs to step forward and outline what it is doing and why it has determined on those steps.
Kenny Heatley: Now the world is awaiting the possibility of Iran attack on Israel as tensions increase in the Middle East. What are your main concerns right now?
Simon Birmingham: Well, none of us wish to see a wider escalation of conflict that could see even greater loss of life. There has been enormous tragedy since October 7th for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Now that tragedy could best come to an end if Hamas were to accept the terms of the last peace offer, ceasefire offer that had been put on the table, which would see all hostages who continue to be held by Hamas, returned and freed and create a situation where a ceasefire and negotiations for longer lasting peace could actually be entered into. And that is where maximum pressure needs to be maintained by the world community to get that type of breakthrough that sees those hostages released and sees a ceasefire achieved.
Kenny Heatley: Simon Birmingham, really appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.
Simon Birmingham: Thanks. My pleasure.
[ENDS]