Foreign Minister Penny Wong Engages in Fiery Exchange with Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash Over Grace Tame's Protest Chant
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has become embroiled in a heated confrontation with Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash during a Senate estimates session, following intense questioning regarding her response to comments made by former Australian of the Year Grace Tame at a protest against visiting Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Controversial Chant Sparks Political Backlash and Calls for Condemnation
During a rally held outside Sydney Town Hall on Monday, Grace Tame energized the crowd with the chant 'from Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the intifada'. This slogan immediately provoked widespread backlash across the political spectrum, with figures including Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce demanding that Tame be stripped of her Australian of the Year title. Additionally, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli have both called for the phrase to be banned, arguing it can be interpreted as a call for violent uprising.
Senate Estimates Hearing Turns Contentious Over Interpretation and Responsibility
At the Senate estimates hearing, Senator Cash pressed Minister Wong on how the government interprets the phrase 'globalise the intifada' and whether officials have spoken directly to Grace Tame about her remarks. Wong responded that she was 'not aware' of any direct government communication with Tame on this matter and emphasized that it was not within her purview to initiate such contact.
'The Foreign Minister of Australia doesn't ring up everyone who has said things during this debate,' Wong retorted sharply. She then referenced comments from Australia's Envoy for Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, who stated that the phrase 'was used to whip up hatred against Jews'. Wong affirmed, 'I think [Segal] is right', and stressed the need to 'turn down the temperature in this country'.
Wong Declines to Fuel Outrage Cycle Amid Calls for Condemnation
Senator Cash subsequently demanded that Wong outright 'condemn' Tame's remarks, but the Foreign Minister refused to escalate the conflict. 'I would rather people did not use it... (but) I would not be drawn into another cycle of outrage,' Wong stated firmly. She elaborated that she does not believe Australians want politicians to amplify outrage, particularly on such a divisive and difficult issue for the nation.
Cash countered sharply, insisting that Australians expect a clearer stance, especially given that the chants were directed at the president of Israel during his visit. 'I would put it to you that Australians would want to condemn… an Australian of the Year using a violent chant at a public rally,' Cash asserted.
Wong Accuses Cash of Inconsistency on Hate-Speech Laws
Wong then went on the offensive, accusing Senator Cash of skipping the January vote on strengthened hate-speech laws, which were introduced following the Bondi Beach terror attack in December. 'You come in here and dial up the outrage, but when it counts, when you could vote to strengthen our hate speech laws, you refused to,' Wong fired back. She highlighted that Cash's position went directly against the recommendations of the antisemitism envoy's report and the calls from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Wong reiterated her call for calm and a bipartisan approach to addressing antisemitism. 'If you want to have a bipartisan approach to antisemitism, I am up for that. I don't think we do that by dialling up outrage and conflict,' she said. She emphasized the importance of returning to a respectful discourse on contentious issues like Gaza.
Prime Minister Albanese Echoes Wong's Stance on Avoiding Political Opportunism
Wong's remarks align with those of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has similarly dismissed suggestions that he should criticise Grace Tame. During Question Time, Albanese was pressed on whether he would 'unequivocally condemn this disgusting display of antisemitism' by Tame. In response, the Prime Minister stated that he was not seeking 'political opportunities', reinforcing the government's cautious approach to navigating the sensitive debate.
