QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:07): I thank Senator Smith for a perspicacious question. As she is aware and we are all aware, this is a conflict that continues to destabilise the region and the world. Iran has attacked civil shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and has threatened to mine the waterway.

The weaponisation of the strait by Iran is impacting oil and fuel prices worldwide. What this does demonstrate, colleagues, is the willingness of the Iranian regime to inflict economic pain upon households and businesses across the world. Honourable senators interjecting— Senator WONG: I'll take the interjection from the Australian Greens, who seem to forget that the consequences for global energy markets are a consequence of Iran engaging in attacks on civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping.

You may want to minimise that, but we do not. We reiterate our call on Iran to cease their indiscriminate attacks on other countries in the region. I thought you cared about civilians.

I thought you cared, but I don't hear from the Australian Greens the condemnation of the attacks on countries— Senator McKim interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Come to order, Senator McKim! Senator WONG: who are not taking part in the strike, on countries that were not taking part in the strikes and on civilian targets. We want to see critical energy supplies flow to partners and to our region.

We joined— Senator McKim interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator McKim, I am not quite sure which part of 'Come to order, Senator McKim,' that you failed to understand, but I am serious. I've called you to order. I expect silence.

Senator WONG: We joined G7 foreign ministers in reaffirming the importance of safeguarding maritime routes, the security of supply chains and the stability of energy markets. What is occurring in the Middle East is putting pressure on supply chains, on petrol prices and on the global economy. It is a difficult time, but we will continue to do all we can to support Australians through this time.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Marielle Smith, a first supplementary?