International Relations: Australia and Iran

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (16:34): Senator Chandler has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, which has been circulated and is shown on the Dynamic Red:

The Albanese Labor Government's failure to act on repeated warnings-including those of the February 2023 Senate inquiry-by only now moving to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, despite clear evidence of its role in spreading terror in Australia and abroad.

Is consideration of the proposal supported?

More than the number of senators required by the standing orders having risen in their places—

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: With the concurrence of the Senate, the clerks will set the clock in line with the informal arrangements made by the whips.

Senator CHANDLER (Tasmania) (16:34): In September 2022, the world watched in horror as Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the Islamic Republic of Iran regime's so-called morality police. Her death sparked a global outcry, and here in this chamber it sparked action. Shortly after the uprisings and following obscene brutality from the IRI regime towards its own citizens, particularly women and girls, this Senate referred the situation in Iran to the Senate Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade References Committee for an inquiry, which I had the honour of chairing. That inquiry wasn't just about documenting atrocities; it was about demanding action to ensure that our government holds the IRI regime to account for its abhorrent actions against Iranians both in Iran and here in Australia. The report from that inquiry made 12 recommendations. Two were the most critical: to list the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, and to reduce diplomatic ties with the Iranian regime. That was February 2023. The Albanese government could have taken action then. Instead, they waited until yesterday, 2½ years on, to finally do so.

We in the coalition welcome yesterday's announcement, but here today I want to step through exactly what happened while the Albanese government dragged its feet in taking the action we all know has come far too late. We now know that in the middle of January 2023, the government was preparing to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, as a terrorist organisation. The threat was known. The evidence was clear. The Attorney-General's Department was in possession of two documents: a statement of reasons and a nomination form to list the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. We also know that on 31 January 2023, the day before the foreign affairs committee was due to table its report, that same department made a late submission to the committee, stating that it had determined the IRGC couldn't be listed under the current legislative regime, because it was determined to be the organ of a nation state.

The next month, in February 2023, the then minister for home affairs, Clare O'Neil, publicly attributed a foreign interference attempt to the IRI regime. The coalition responded immediately and offered bipartisan support to the government for any legislative change required to allow the IRGC to be listed as a terrorist organisation, but those offers were ignored, and the opportunity to act decisively was missed. Six months later, on 13 September 2023, just days before the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, the government finally tabled its response to the Senate inquiry and made it clear that it would be rejecting those two key recommendations. I would have thought that moment, the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, could have inspired action. Instead, it exposed indifference on behalf of this government. It is a moment the Iranian diaspora will remember, not for courage but for cowardice. Then came the 7 October terror attacks in Israel. Hamas launched its brutal attack on Israeli citizens. The IRGC's role in training and financing Hamas is well documented, but still the Albanese government refused to act.

This Senate did not let the matter rest. In November 2023, and again in February 2024, we ordered the production of those documents I mentioned, prepared by the Attorney-General's Department. Those documents contained the statement of reasons for listing the IRGC before the idea was kiboshed by someone else in government—exactly who that was, we don't yet know. On both occasions when the Senate asked for those documents, the Attorney-General claimed public interest immunity, and the government continued to stall. Then, in October last year, one year on from the October 7 attacks, I moved a matter of urgency in this chamber, and I called on the government to list the IRGC as a terrorist organisation and to declare the Iranian ambassador persona non grata. We must remember that members of this government said in this chamber that moving that motion was utterly reckless and irresponsible.

A few days later, the consequences of that same inaction became tragically clear. On 20 October last year, we now know, the IRGC orchestrated a terrorist attack on Australian soil, on Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Bondi. In December they targeted the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. These were not isolated incidents. They didn't come out of nowhere. The reach and threat of the IRGC on Australian soil was longstanding, and the government had every reason to act, and it chose not to. When foreign agents orchestrate violence on Australian soil, the rules of engagement have to change. Our response must be swift, it must be firm and it must be unequivocal.

Finally, yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that the IRGC will be listed as a terrorist organisation under Australian law. I welcome this, but let's be clear: the listing is overdue, the delay has put lives at risk and it must never happen again. (Time expired)

Senator STEWART (Victoria) (16:39): Yesterday the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Home Affairs announced that ASIO had enough credible intelligence to reach a deeply disturbing conclusion, that the Iranian government has directed at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil. Iran has sought to undermine the cohesion of our community with acts of aggression that sought to terrify Australians and put Australian lives in danger. This has crossed a line.

That is why the government has declared Iran's ambassador to Australia, as well as three other Iranian officials, persona non grata. The government has taken the step to withdraw Australia's ambassador to Iran. We have suspended the operations of our embassy in Iran for the safety of our officials and Australia's broader security. This is the first time Australia has expelled an ambassador in the postwar period. The government will also legislate to list Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, as a terrorist organisation. When the Foreign Minister announced this yesterday, she said:

We have sought to lower the temperature in Australia, and to not reproduce the conflict in the Middle East in Australia. I again urge others to consider whether their actions help those who want to divide our nation. We all want the killing in the Middle East to stop, and we want to retain our character as a nation that welcomes people of different race, religion, views, united by respect for each other's humanity and our collective desire to live in peace. We will always safeguard our communities and protect Australians from all forms of hate.

The Albanese Labor government knew that yesterday was not a day for division, but already today we have this debate. We have the Greens, in their statements, already using these horrific attacks for their own political purposes. The Greens political party are in no position to give lectures about Iran. We have heard from former Greens members about how Greens leaders ignore the oppressive role of Iran. We have heard that the Greens leader ignored the experiences of Iranian Australian members of the Greens and found their pain to be politically inconvenient. The Greens don't understand that Iran's support for Hamas has undermined and oppressed Palestinians and then, at a time of unimaginable suffering in Gaza, continued the same divisive politics here at home.

The Albanese government has worked deliberately and strategically with partners to apply pressure on the Iranian regime. The Albanese government has sanctioned 200 Iranian linked persons and entities, including almost 100 IRGC linked individuals and entities. We were at the forefront of efforts to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women and co-sponsored the successful Human Rights Council resolution establishing an independent investigation into human rights violations in Iran. We have bolstered Australia's autonomous sanctions framework to enable us to target more Iranian individuals and entities involved in oppression inside Iran, including against women and girls. We have consistently and forcefully raised our concerns directly with Iran.

The Iranian regime's attacks were designed to cause disunity and division in our country. It is a terrible shame that the Greens political party cannot show unity today. In unprecedented times, like we find ourselves in now, it's more important than ever that we leave party politics aside and take the side of team Australia. We want people to feel safe and to be safe. That's why we will always safeguard our communities and protect Australians from all forms of hate. I join with Senator Wong, the Foreign minister, in urging others in this place to consider whether their actions help those who want to divide our nation. I encourage everybody in this place to join team Australia and work towards unity in our nation.

Senator HANSON (Queensland—Leader of Pauline Hanson's One Nation and Pauline Hanson's One Nation Whip) (16:44): That was the most uninspiring speech. I wonder if you really believe what you said. The Labor government's expulsion of the Iranian ambassador comes far too late for the victims of these crimes.

For years, people who have escaped that hideous regime have been telling the Australian government about the illegal activities of the regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in our country—surveillance, intimidation, coercion, threats and the violence unleashed on our streets. ASIO should be commended for its excellent work in uncovering the links between the Iranian embassy and the attacks on the Australian community. ASIO should have been listened to much earlier, when it made warnings about the regime and its activities.

It turns out others should have been heard, too. That includes One Nation. For years I've been warning about the threat of Iran and similar countries where radical Islam is dominant. In fact, only days after the terrorist attacks orchestrated by Iran against Israel in October 2023, I said:

Australia must … re-examine its relationship with the regime in Iran, the financier and supplier of Islamic terror across the world. At the very least, our diplomatic presence in Tehran must be withdrawn and any Iranian diplomats should be expelled from our country.

I said that here almost two years ago. It also includes the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, which in February 2023 recommended the government take steps to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

But Labor refused to listen, probably because Iran was doing exactly what the Labor Left wanted them to do by attacking Israel. Labor has only now been embarrassed into taking action, after ignoring the warnings and pretending Iran was no threat to Australia. I urge this incompetent government to act decisively and increase security resources so this may never happen again. And heed my warning: don't bring people from Gaza into this country. (Time expired)

Senator BLYTH (South Australia—Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate) (16:46): More than two years ago, the coalition urged the Albanese government to take decisive action and list Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, as a terrorist organisation. We did so because the evidence was overwhelming. The IRGC is not a conventional military force; it is a global exporter of terror, a sponsor of antisemitic violence and a direct threat to democratic societies, including our own.

The case for listing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation rests on clear and compelling grounds. The IRGC is a key driver of global terrorism, directly funding, training and arming groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Its activities extend well beyond Iran's borders, threatening Jewish communities and undermining international security. Listing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation would align Australia with other allies, close legal and financial loopholes, deter extremism at home and signal that state sponsored terror will not be tolerated.

Despite the calls to act and to act decisively, the Albanese government did nothing. They dismissed the danger. They turned their backs on bipartisan calls for action. Now, after confirmed antisemitic attacks on Australian soil—one targeting a synagogue in Melbourne and another a Jewish owned restaurant in Sydney—the government has finally acted. It has expelled the Iranian ambassador, and it has also signalled that it will move to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. These steps are welcome, but let me be clear: they should never have taken this long. This is not leadership; it is weakness. Iran has been exporting violence, sponsoring terror and fuelling hatred for years. Strong action was required long ago not only to confront Tehran abroad but also to send a clear signal here at home, because, while this government delayed, the consequences were felt on our own streets.

We have witnessed a disturbing rise in antisemitism across Australia. I have spoken to Jewish families who feel unsafe in their schools, in their workplaces and in their places of worship. Terrorist incidents and the threat to the Australian community is rising, and this is no coincidence. When government is weak on principle, extremists are emboldened. The failure to stand firmly and early with Israel has compounded this problem. Of course, legitimate criticism of Israel is reasonable, but that is a world apart from undermining Israel's very right to defend itself, yet that is what this government has done—equivocating, delaying and in effect rewarding terrorism.

Since October 2023, when 1,200 innocent Israelis were slaughtered by racist totalitarians, Israel has been fighting for its survival.

It is a democracy under constant threat from Iran's proxies. Its right to defend itself is beyond question, yet Labor's refusal to speak with clarity and conviction has implied sympathy for those who would seek to destroy it. That silence has emboldened extremism and intimidated Australians who would've felt confident to stand in solidarity with our ally.

When Israel struck Iran's nuclear facilities to prevent a catastrophic escalation, Mr Albanese hesitated. He waited for the United States before he dared to act. That is not foreign policy; that is following the leader. When Hamas praised Mr Albanese for recognising Palestinian statehood, he failed to condemn them. Has he forgotten that Hamas is a terrorist organisation?

This government is not just soft on terror; it is soft on organised crime, it is soft on foreign interference and it is soft on the enemies of democracy. And, in being soft, it has betrayed the values that should define us as a free and just society. Yes, expelling the Iranian ambassador and signalling a move to finally list the IRGC are the right decisions, but Australians must not forget the cost of this government's hesitation. When leadership falters, hatred fills the vacuum, and the price has been paid by Jewish Australians who have been terrorised in their own homeland.

We must take actions together against Tehran's networks. We must confront antisemitism wherever it appears, because if we do not stand strong with our democratic allies, we cannot expect them to stand strong with us should we face danger ourselves. The coalition will never hesitate to call-out terror no matter where it comes from, no matter who it sponsors and no matter how uncomfortable it makes this government feel.

Senator WHITEAKER (Western Australia) (16:51): Yesterday the Prime Minister, the Foreign minister and the home affairs minister announced that ASIO has credible intelligence showing the Iranian government directed at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil, possibly more. I want to acknowledge the work of ASIO on this investigation and commend them for their commitment to protecting our national interests.

Let me be clear: there is no place for antisemitism in our country, there is no place for violence or for aggression in our country and there is no place for interference in our country. We cannot tolerate them. Acts of aggression such as these strike at the heart of our community and have no place in the Australian way of life.

In response, the government has declared that Iran's ambassador to Australia is persona non grata, along with three other Iranian officials. It is the first time we have expelled an ambassador in the postwar period. These are not decisions that can be taken lightly. We have suspended the operations of our embassy in Iran, for the safety of our officials and for the broader security of our nation.

We will also legislate to list Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. We take this matter very seriously. When the Foreign minister joined the Prime Minister and the home affairs minister to make this announcement yesterday, she said:

We have sought to lower the temperature in Australia, and to not reproduce the conflict in the Middle East … I again urge others to consider whether their actions help those who want to divide our nation. We all want the killing in the Middle East to stop, and we want to retain our character as a nation that welcomes people of different race, religion, views, united by respect for each other's humanity and our collective desire to live in peace. We will always safeguard our communities and protect Australians from all forms of hate.

I encourage everyone in this place to reflect on those words from our Foreign minister. This is not a time for division.

Yesterday the opposition leader said that the opposition was united with the government on the measures announced yesterday, but, sadly, we're seeing them throw out this bipartisanship on this really serious matter. It's disappointing to see some in this place use this as an opportunity for political pointscoring.

Our government has taken decisive action on Iran. We have worked deliberately and strategically with our partners to apply pressure on the Iranian regime.

The Albanese government has sanctioned 200 Iranian linked persons and entities, including almost 100 IRGC linked individuals and entities. Those opposite, when they were in government, did not place a single sanction. We led efforts to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women, while those opposite said nothing. We co-sponsored the Human Rights Council's investigation into abuse inside Iran. We strengthened Australia's sanctions framework so we can better target Iranian officials who oppress their own people, including women and girls. We have consistently raised our concerns directly with Iran. We did this work carefully with our partners because that's how you apply real pressure on a dangerous regime.

In speaking on this motion, I wish to remind those people who seek to use this issue for political benefit to reflect again on the words of the Foreign minister yesterday. Consider whether your actions are helping. There is no place in our country for antisemitism or any other kind of hate and vitriol, and stoking further fear and division in our community is no way to handle a situation like this. Iran's attacks were designed to sow hatred and fear here in Australia. It is our responsibility as leaders in this chamber and as leaders in our communities to stand against this hate, to protect our communities and to defend our democracy.

This government is taking antisemitism seriously. We take our national security seriously. We are protecting Australians. We are sending a clear message to any state or actor who wishes to do us harm.

Senator NAMPIJINPA PRICE (Northern Territory) (16:56): The coalition will not be lectured on how to tackle antisemitism in this country. The Albanese government thinks it has been on the front foot in listing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. It thinks it has been strong. It has the gall to suggest the coalition has politicised this issue, while they have politicised it.

But Australians aren't falling for this ruse. This government hasn't been on the front foot; it's been on the back foot. This government hasn't been strong; it's been weak. From its first day in office, this government has politicised foreign policy issues to grandstand to a domestic political audience. The crisis of antisemitism afflicting our nation started with the Albanese government's supine response to the sordid scenes on the footsteps of the Sydney Opera House. Its weakness in the wake of that intolerable incident created an atmosphere of permissibility for more intolerable incidents.

As recently as 3 August some pro-Palestinian protestors gleefully carried a photo of Iran's oppressive dictator during the rally across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Prime Minister astonishingly described this event as a 'peaceful demonstration'. When we hear the calls of 'bring down genocide' and 'stop genocide', let me tell you, Iran is for genocide. Iran is for the genocide of Israel. When we hear Australians, including those who sit in this chamber, chant 'from the river to the sea', they are calling for genocide and they are calling for terror, yet the Albanese government has failed miserably to attack these sorts of calls for genocide within this country.

Iran is a totalitarian state run by the odious, revolutionary and antisemitic Iranian regime. The regime oppresses its own people. The regime funds terrorists—Hamas, the Houthis and everybody else involved that wants to see harm come to not just Israel but the West. I suggest that the Prime Minister, if he hasn't already, views the footage that I have viewed from Israel of October 7. I can never erase that from my mind—seeing children, little boys as young as nine or 10, run into a shelter while Hamas hurls a bomb. Their father comes after them, only for his body parts to be blown to smithereens. This is what Iran seeks. They sit gleefully and watch as hordes of Australians wave flags that support their symbols.

The Albanese government has been weak, and the Australian people need to stand up once and for all against antisemitism— (Time expired.)