STATEMENT ON THE CURRENT CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
SENATE

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

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E&OE……………

Just over seven months ago, protesters took to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

At the front of that protest phalanx, a photo of the now-deceased Iranian dictator was held aloft.

That moment was revolting – and revealing:

A recognition that the worshippers of dictators and despots walk among us.

In discussing the current conflict in the Middle East, one thing is needed above all else:

Moral clarity.

A moral clarity that dispels any idolisation of the Iranian regime.

For 47 years, Iranians have lived in fear under the ayatollahs.

The Iranian regime has oppressed its people.

It relegated women to second-class citizens.

It criminalised homosexuality – making it punishable by death.

It tortured and hanged from cranes anyone who spoke out against the regime.

For 47 years, the ayatollahs have been a menacing and malevolent presence in the world.

The Iranian regime has sought to wipe the state of Israel off the map.

It has supported terrorism through its proxies – Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis – including their role in the barbaric attacks on Israel on October 7.

It has provided weapons to Russia to aid in Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

It has long-desired nuclear weapons – and has used its ballistic missiles to attack other countries.

And it has supported terrorist attacks on our soil and spread antisemitism.

The Iranian regime is one of the most evil regimes to have existed.

It’s an enemy of its people.

It’s an enemy of freedom.

It’s an enemy of civilisation.

Anyone with moral clarity would welcome the fall of this odious regime.

Anyone with moral clarity would hope that the Iranian people can achieve the freedom they desire.

Anyone with moral clarity would thank the United States and Israel for giving the Iranian people this opportunity.

But in the context of this war, the Labor Party is afflicted by moral confusion.

The Foreign Minister repeats her usual calls for ‘dialogue’, ‘diplomacy’ and ‘de-escalation’.

I wonder what the Iranian people feel about ‘dialogue’, ‘diplomacy’ and ‘de-escalation’ while the regime that has tormented them for 47 years remains intact.

I wonder what Israelis feel about ‘dialogue’, ‘diplomacy’ and ‘de-escalation’ as they huddle in bomb shelters.

In agreeing to provide air-to-air missiles to the United Arab Emirates, the Defence Minister said with a straight face that these missiles were – and I quote – “defensive weapons.”

This is the same Minister who was at pains to point out that Australian businesses only build the parts of our F-35s that are – and I quote – “non-lethal.”

Behind this slippery and spineless language from Labor is a supine government that lacks the moral courage to commit to our allies.

Why?

Because yet again, Labor is making foreign policy decisions to indulge a domestic audience.

This government’s foreign policy isn’t driven by virtue – it’s driven by votes.

If the Labor Party is morally confused about standing with our allies in the Middle East, then the Greens are morally inverted.

The Greens call this war a crime – but turn a blind eye to the crimes of the ayatollahs and Hamas.

The Greens condemn the bombing of a girl’s school – yet said nothing about the torture, rape, mutilation, and murder of Jewish women on October 7.

The Greens criticise the US and Israel absolutely – but offer absolutely no criticism for the real tyrants and terrorists.

In times that demand moral clarity and standing on the side of civilisation, a morally confused Labor Party sits on the sidelines, and a morally inverted Greens Party sides with our enemies.

[Ends]