Rowdy hearing shut down as Wong says opposition weaponising antisemitism

Penny Wong has accused Coalition senator James McGrath of weaponising antisemitism in a rowdy parliamentary hearing that was shut down during a spat between the foreign minister and opposition MPs.

Coalition senators were questioning Wong on Labor’s handling of the rise in antisemitism since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks that precipitated Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

Wong, a subject of criticism from the Jewish community for Labor’s stance on the war, was being asked in a Senate estimates session whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took responsibility for Jewish Australians feeling less safe.

“I’m very happy and so is the prime minister to work with you against prejudice including antisemitism,” Wong said, but “what is not helpful is the way in which you try to weaponise this.”

McGrath said: “I’m not trying to weaponise it. I speak to Jewish Australians every day who feel unsafe.”

Wong said the government had a role in creating a harmonious society, but turned her answer back on McGrath by repeatedly saying: “I hope you do too”.

Senator James McGrath.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The exchange spiralled into a shouting match as McGrath continued to ask about Albanese’s knowledge of the caravan found in Dural that contained explosives and a note with the address of a synagogue. The shock discovery raised the spectre of a terrorist attack, but this masthead reported earlier this month that the explosives were up to 40 years old and crime figures were offering to reveal plans about the caravan to use it as leverage for a reduced prison term.

“Tell us when the prime minister was briefed. Tell us when was he briefed,” McGrath said.

Wong, her arms folded, replied: “Senator McGrath, which date did you vote against the anti-doxxing legislation designed to protect Jewish Australians?”

The Labor chair of the committee then suspended the hearing for about five minutes as McGrath continued to forcefully ask questions when it was not his turn to speak, and as Wong fired back.

Wong’s comments echoed those of her colleague, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, who described as “grotesque” the political debate on antisemitism. The opposition has vehemently rejected such claims and contentiously moved to shut down Dreyfus when he was talking about antisemitism earlier this month.

A flashpoint in the local debate on Gaza is an unfounded claim from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accusing Labor of fast-tracking Australian citizenship for people who fled Gaza to win votes in marginal seats at the upcoming election.

The disproven claims about Gazan visa holders -were made following reports the government planned to grant 12,500 people citizenship in a series of 25 ceremonies that the Home Affairs Department will hold across Australia by March 4.

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson asked officials for a list of MPs and senators invited to the ceremonies, suggesting the events could be used to recruit voters for Labor.

Industrial Relations Minister Murray Watt criticised Paterson’s line of questioning, saying “I know you’re trying to set up a new conspiracy”.

Paterson hit back: “I don’t have to try very hard”.

Watt: “I’m going to make a really big admission here. I have been to citizenship ceremonies on the northern Gold Coast, where I took it upon myself to invite Labor candidates.”

Paterson said it “would be inappropriate if one political party on the eve of an election is given a leg up to campaign to new citizens at citizenship ceremonies”.

Watt replied: “It’s as if there’s a crime for a government to assist people to take up citizenship. I mean Mr Dutton was out there lying in the media the other day, making claims that we were rushing through Palestinians who’d come here since October 7, a total lie”.

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