QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator FARUQI (New South Wales—Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens) (14:37): The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination commemorates the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa, where 69 anti-apartheid protesters were killed by police. Six decades on, it is hard to escape the reality here in Australia of police crackdowns, arrests and silencing of protesters standing against Israel's genocide and apartheid.

Minister, when will the government realise that assaulting, demonising and repressing anti-genocide, anti-apartheid protesters is racism? The PRESIDENT: Just a moment. Senator Faruqi, as you have seen I have sought the advice of the Clerk.

Your first question was very specific to a particular incident. You have now broadened that out to go further than that. It's not well-related to your first question, but I will invite the minister to answer it in whatever way she thinks fit.

Senator Waters? Senator Waters: A point of order, President. I just refer to the fact that the minister was asked in her capacity as representing the Prime Minister, and so the scope is broad.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Waters, and you may have missed the point. I have sought the advice of the Clerk and I have taken the advice of the Clerk, which is the generally accepted standard in this chamber. It's certainly the standard I adhere to.

I have invited the minister to respond in whatever way she thinks fits the question. Minister Wong.