QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: TAKE NOTE OF ANSWERS
Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (15:43): Fascism is on the rise. There is no mistaking it. In Australia, far-right nationalists are sowing division.
Around the world, they are perpetrating genocide and spreading racist hate in the communities of our families, our friends and our comrades. Their poisonous work is aided by traditional and social media giants, who cash in on rage and misinformation. These fascists are funded and supported by capitalists, who profit when democracies are weakened—billionaires who want to dismantle workers' rights, environmental protections and safety nets for those most in need.
Time and again, ordinary people have recognised the fascist threat and organised to resist. We know our history. We know there are no bystanders in this struggle.
We say unequivocally that now is the time to act. We cannot arrest the alarming global descent into fascism by squeezing our eyes shut and hoping for the best. You don't shake hands with far-right leaders and hope that they will listen to reason.
You certainly don't walk up to Trump, the person fascists and racists everywhere worship as a hero, and pose for a selfie. But, instead of standing up to the fascist avatar, Prime Minister Albanese did the opposite. He didn't just line up for a selfie with Trump once; he's done it twice.
What sycophantic behaviour. Of course the Prime Minister has never met a billionaire he didn't love. Trump is a guy who threatens to annihilate Iran.
He is a sadistic con artist who now plans to live stream an execution. Trump is a fanatic whose so-called peace plan has prevented justice for Palestinians after his so-called ceasefire. He's a creep who's been found liable for sexual abuse.
People are furious the Labor government chooses to align Australia with a man who is a warmonger abroad and at home oversees state sanctioned antimigrant thugs. If Australia is to take its part in the people's fight to resist the far right and confront fascists here and overseas, then the very least this Labor government should do is to stop taking orders from Trump.
(Time expired) Question agreed to.