QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:34): Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the question. First, Australians are understandably distressed by the violence, death, displacement in the Middle East, but we on this side of the chamber believe that we gain nothing by shouting each other down.
We gain nothing by turning up the temperature, as that question sought to. We gain nothing, as a pluralist nation, for— Senator Faruqi interjecting— Senator WONG: Again, there is an outrage machine that the Greens engage in because they want to raise the temperature. You want to raise the temperature because you see political benefit in raising the temperature.
We on this side want to do all that we can, in a pluralist Australia, to enable people to come together, and for people who disagree with each other to be able to engage respectfully. That is what we seek to do, and that was what the Prime Minister was seeking to do. It wasn't a visit by the Prime Minister for Eid; it was a visit at the invitation of the community.
It was a visit that was welcomed by many in the community. And, yes, there were people who had different views. But overwhelmingly, it is a good thing for the Prime Minister of the country— Senator Faruqi: To lie.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Ayres? Senator Ayres: I ask that Senator Faruqi withdraw that. She's had to do it once already.
The PRESIDENT: I didn't hear the comment, and I'm assuming it was Senator Shoebridge. Just a moment, Senator Shoebridge. Senator Shoebridge: 'Just assumed'— The PRESIDENT: Please resume your seat.
Senator Ayres, I heard your point of order but I didn't hear the senator. Senator Ayres: Well, I don't want to repeat what Senator Faruqi said. The PRESIDENT: No; I'm not asking you to repeat it.
Just name the senator. Senator Ayres: Senator Faruqi. The PRESIDENT: Apologies, Senator Shoebridge.
I had called you to order a few minutes before Senator Ayres jumped up, which is why I assumed it was you. I apologise for that. Senator Faruqi, withdraw the comment.
Senator Faruqi: My God, you just don't want people to tell the truth. The PRESIDENT: Senator Faruqi! Senator Faruqi: I withdraw.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Ayres, please resume your seat. Thank you, Senator Faruqi, and I will remind you, when I ask you to withdraw, a simple withdrawal and no other comment is what I require. I appreciate that you have now done that.
Minister Wong. Senator WONG: As I said, the Prime Minister was invited to the mosque for Eid. That is a good thing.
It is a good thing to engage with the community, even if sometimes the conversations are difficult. The PRESIDENT: Senator Faruqi, first supplementary?