Emma Rebellato, Host: Okay, it's time now to go to Adelaide, where our Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, joins us. Minister, thanks for joining us this morning.
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Good morning, good to be with you.
Rebellato: We heard overnight that 94 Palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours. And it comes at the same time that Israel's Prime Minister says he's going to convene a security cabinet meeting later this week to give the country's military a new plan for the war in Gaza. What's your reaction to that?
Foreign Minister: We want a ceasefire. We want aid to flow. We want the hostages released. And we would urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to listen to the 600 former Israeli security officials who have called for a ceasefire as the best way to ensure the hostages come home. We want aid to flow. I think Australians are horrified by what we are seeing in Gaza, the human suffering which is occurring. And we would continue to work with the international community to say to Israel, you must let aid in unimpeded.
Rebellato: Anthony Albanese wants to speak with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. But do you think it will make any difference?
Foreign Minister: It's important for us to put our view very clearly at the most senior levels of the government. But of course, that's not all we must do, and it's not all we have done. As you know, we have sanctioned Israeli Ministers for their human rights abuses of Palestinians. As you know, we have sanctioned settlers for their actions in the West Bank. Yesterday, I announced additional aid for Gaza, an additional $20 million through channels that we know have been able to deliver aid in and we are working with the international community towards the UN meeting in September in relation to a pathway to two states.
Rebellato: You've said that the government understands the urgency behind this global push to recognise a Palestinian state. We spoke to David Littleproud, for instance, earlier. He says we shouldn't be rushing into it while Hamas is still in control. How much of a concern is that?
Foreign Minister: Well, Hamas is a terrorist organisation. We consistently condemn them. We have multiple sanctions on them. I would say we have a unique opportunity in the international community to isolate and diminish Hamas. When you look at what the Palestinian Authority and the Arab countries have said, condemning Hamas and committing to Hamas having no role in the future of the governance of Gaza. What I would also say is this, that the best way to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East is for there to be two states and the reason for urgency behind recognition is this, there is a risk that there will be no Palestine left to recognise if the world does not act.
Rebellato: Senator, we've had media reports this morning that Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is blocking visas for potentially divisive visitors at an unprecedented rate. Is the government silencing debate? Should that be its role?
Foreign Minister: You would have heard me over the years, certainly in relation to the debates when the Coalition wanted to amend the Racial Discrimination Act to allow for more debate which would be harmful to social cohesion, I think we have to safeguard our social cohesion. I don't believe it's free speech for people to say hateful things about others that serves no purpose in a diverse, multicultural country such as Australia.
Rebellato: We heard yesterday from Federal Police, they revealed that a woman's been charged and she's accused of spying on a Buddhist group operating in Australia on the orders of Beijing. Will that put strain on the relationship with China?
Foreign Minister: I can't comment on an individual case that's before the courts. What I can say is this, we will safeguard our democracy. Our democracy is about who we are. And that means we will stand together against any foreign interference. We have strong frameworks in place. We will not tolerate collectively or as a government, Australians being harassed or surveilled. We will continue to safeguard the democracy. In relation to our relations with Beijing, I've always said dialogue matters. Dialogue is important. Dialogue enables us to manage difference but it doesn't eliminate it.
Rebellato: Now, this next one is not particularly in your portfolio, but certainly something that affects your home state of South Australia. The federal and state governments are announcing a funding package today for Nystar, the lead smelter in Port Pirie. How much money is the federal government putting towards this?
Foreign Minister: Well, I'll leave that to Tim Ayres, the Minister, who's standing up with Premier Malinauskas today. And Tim was on the plane with me last night. This is a very important announcement for South Australia. This is, and particularly for Port Pirie, the people of Port Pirie, this is a very important part of the economic activity of the region, of that town, but also for the whole of the state.
Rebellato: Senator Penny Wong, thank you very much for joining us this morning. We appreciate it.
Foreign Minister: Good to be with you.