Kieran Gilbert, Host: Joining me live in the studio now is the Foreign Minister, Penny Wong. Thanks, Minister. You've only got 10 minutes or less because you're in the break of the Senate Estimates. I want to ask you, first up, is President Trump the only leader who could have got Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to this?
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: I think that's probably true. We always knew over this last year, in all of the discussions internationally, that we needed US engagement. There are other parts to building the pathway to peace, including the unprecedented commitments of the Arab League, recognition and so forth. But President Trump has got this over the line. It is an extraordinary achievement and one that people around the world are supportive of and it will bring hope where there has been despair for the people of Gaza and I hope long-term peace for the people of Palestine and of Israel.
Gilbert: Yeah, nice to see some smiles for a change in that part of the world, it's been few and far between. But the Coalition says that they stuck with the US throughout and stuck with the US-brokered peace plan. They've been vindicated in their view, should you have stuck with our major ally?
Foreign Minister: You know, the Coalition really has been out of step with the international community for such a long time. Remember, the Coalition opposed a ceasefire that President Trump himself supported. Remember, the Coalition has not understood the way in which the international community, that different countries of the world have come together over a year to try and work how it is that we create the conditions for the pathway to peace, how do we build momentum. The Coalition has been out of step with the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the many countries which sought to recognise, to help provide that momentum. The Coalition has not understood the unprecedented commitments of the Arab League, including countries like Egypt and Qatar and Türkiye, which have been central to isolating Hamas and enabling this deal to be possible. So, unfortunately, what we've seen from the Coalition is negativity, a desire to have a political division when really, we should have speaking with one voice, trying to contribute to peace.
Gilbert: Should you have stuck, though – we mentioned the Coalition, but Marco Rubio said that recognition was a gift to Hamas. He said that it's a meaningless move for our own domestic purposes. That's what Marco Rubio said. Should we have stuck with him and the US?
Foreign Minister: And President Trump also said yesterday, I think it was on Fox News, that he had said to Prime Minister Netanyahu, "you can't fight the world, Bibi." You have to recognise that all the different contributions from, most importantly, the countries of the region, but other parts of the international community have contributed this momentum, and it has been the engagement of and the leadership of President Trump which has landed the deal.
Gilbert: That comment, "you can't fight the world, Bibi," do you see that as vindication for this government, for your government's move?
Foreign Minister: I see it as confirmation that being part of international momentum towards peace was the right call.
Gilbert: In relation to the United States and its approach to this, Donald Trump, there's some talk of him getting the Nobel Peace Prize. Would you support that? Do you think that would be a good move?
Foreign Minister: Well, certainly this peace plan is historically unprecedented. And, you know, this has been the biggest contribution to peace that we have seen in a very long time.
Gilbert: So, you wouldn't be opposed to that idea?
Foreign Minister: Obviously, it's a matter for the committee. But this has been the greatest contribution to peace in the Middle East for a generation or more. And, you know, I think if we see the hostages, when we see the hostages returned and aid flowing into Gaza, what peace enables, I think will come home to all of us.
Gilbert: I know you've only got a couple of minutes in this morning tea break, but a couple of other moves, just further on that, Donald Trump has thrown out the political norms or the diplomatic norms, hasn't he? He's a disruptor. Is that what was needed to break what is a centuries long, an ancient conflict, in a sense?
Foreign Minister: He plays by a different playbook and it's working. The fact that we have the Netanyahu Government, Israeli cabinet, I think, just what, an hour ago or so, a couple of hours ago, agreeing to this peace plan that we're seeing Hamas agreeing to this plan that is unprecedented.
Gilbert: Would we be involved in a peacekeeping force?
Foreign Minister: Look, we haven't been asked, and we would consider any request in the usual way.
Gilbert: Chris Minns said it was the right call to block that protest at the Opera House. And I know social cohesion's been an issue that you've been aware of and saying don't bring the conflict here. If this peace deal has done this ceasefire achieved, should people just ease up on that sort of weekly protest now?
Foreign Minister: Well, I think certainly political leaders should ease up. And I think we've seen both the Coalition and the Greens really try to bring the conflict here politically. I think it's a time for us to all come together supporting peace in the Middle East and also bringing our country, bringing groups who've been very opposed back together. I mean, social cohesion matters and what that means is we live in peace, we respect each other's rights to have different views and we do disagree, respectfully. We don't engage in violence, we don't engage in hatred, and we don't engage in abuse.
Gilbert: Many in the Jewish community and beyond were shocked after that October 8, 9 protest, I think it was shortly after October 7, 2023. Did Australia, did the government drop the ball on social cohesion around that point and from that point?
Foreign Minister: Well, I think the Prime Minister, other Ministers including I, expressed how unacceptable some of the statements made then were. And you know, we have worked over these last two years to try and strengthen our social cohesion at times where it has been very difficult. I suspect if you are a very reasonable person, when you look at how some of the other political leaders have handled this, they could not say the same thing.
Gilbert: You've got to go back. Well, last question. I spoke to the Israeli Ambassador to mark October 7th. He said he does speak to you and he's in contact with you a lot. But he did say that the relationship has fallen away in the last few years. Will you speak to him and try to repair that relationship with a key democracy in the region?
Foreign Minister: Look, I deal with the Ambassador often and it has been difficult, we have had a different view. We have had a different view on the actions of the Netanyahu Government. You have seen the response from Prime Minister Netanyahu. We have had very strong differences of opinion and of policy and philosophy with the current Israeli Government. But what we want to do now is to back in President Trump's peace plan. That's the best thing for the people of Israel and the people of Gaza.
Gilbert: And rebuild that relationship as well?
Foreign Minister: Look, Israel is a long-standing relationship for Australia and a relationship that is, that matters even when we disagree.
Gilbert: Foreign Minister, thank you for your time. Appreciate it.
Foreign Minister: Good to speak with you.