Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Shadow Attorney-General
Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
TRANSCRIPT
Sky News Credlin
25 June 2024
TOPICS: Senator Payman, Albanese weak leadership, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Julian Assange
E&OE
Peta Credlin
But first, the Albanese Government appears to be ignoring growing calls to list the Islamist extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organisation. The UK and Germany have already done so, yet here in Australia it’s not been done despite the group being linked to that gathering in Lakemba on October 8th where they referred to the attack on Israel as a ‘day of pride’. There’s also very serious concerns Hizb ut-Tahrir has infiltrated the Muslim Students’ Association which has just struck a deal with the University of Sydney that impacts defence research. The job of listing a terrorist organisation sits with the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, so why is he refusing to act? Joining me now is his counterpart, Shadow Attorney-General, Senator Michaelia Cash. There is a clear body of evidence to list Hizb ut-Tahir, Senator Cash, and significant international precedent. So why the lack of action from the Albanese Government?
Senator Cash
That’s a very good question and perhaps the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus might like to come on your show and answer it. The United Kingdom and Germany have listed Hizb ut-Tahrir. It is pretty obvious in Australia that they have been involved in terrible demonstrations in relation to what occurred on October the seventh, pro-Palestinian demonstrations. But Peta, our terrorist listing rules are very, very clear. If you promote, if you foster, if you encourage, if you even praise these types of extremist measures, then you can be listed under our Criminal Code. And as you said, it is now for the Attorney-General of Australia to explain to Australians why the United Kingdom and Germany have listed them, but based on the evidence here in Australia, they haven’t, and I would urge him to look at whether or not they should be urgently listing Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organization.
Peta Credlin
Now, assuming you were in the Senate this afternoon when this move by Fatima Payman on a Greens motion regarding Palestine, when she crossed the floor. I was just discussing it with Andrew Clennell and we’ve had a statement coming now from a Labor spokesman on Payman. They’ve said “The Senator maintains strong Labor values, she intends to continue representing Western Australians.” There is no mandated sanction, they say, in these circumstances and previous caucus members have crossed the floor without facing expulsion. Now I have to say, I remember Senator Colston in years past and others. That’s not my understanding, nor Andrew Clennell’s, of the Labor rules. What’s your understanding?
Senator Cash
Well in the first instance, what Senator Payman did today was a clear challenge to Prime Minister Albanese’s leadership. He is the first Labor Prime Minister since 1986, to have a senator do this to him. But Peta, you’ve got to look at why Senator Payman did this. And it is the weak leadership that Anthony Albanese has shown since the terrorist attacks on October the seventh last year. It is little wonder that Senator Payman thought she had a license to cross the floor. But I have to say, I’ve spoken to a number of Labor senators tonight, well, I can tell you they’re all over the place. You have some Labor senators who say ‘I’d like to cross the floor on certain issues, but I know I’m not allowed to so she should be expelled’. Others who say she should be suspended. Ultimately a decision for Anthony Albanese, but without a doubt what Senator Payman did is a direct result of Anthony Albanese’s weak leadership when it comes to what occurred, the terrible massacre on October the seventh last year.
Peta Credlin
I’ll be blunt Senator, if she was a Labor bloke would she be expelled, and is she not being expelled because she’s a female Muslim senator?
Senator Cash
Again, I will leave that to Anthony Albanese. But let’s go to what the core issue is – why? And it is a complete failure, a weakness on behalf of Mr. Albanese to show true leadership when it comes to the terrible events of October the seventh last year. But let’s face it, I’m sure his phone is going hot tonight. Those who are saying she shouldn’t be expelled, those who are saying she should merely be suspended, but ultimately it is a decision for the Australian Labor Party. But for me Peta, it is the core of the issue and that is weak leadership under Prime Minister Albanese.
Peta Credlin
What’s the odds on when and if Julian Assange returns to Australia that he’ll be lionized by the ABC? Where do you stand on the issue?
Senator Cash
Let us be very clear, I do not condone what Julian Assange did. He is not a hero. He is not a journalist. He is not a whistleblower. He is someone who by his very actions, put the lives of Australians in danger. So quite frankly, to see elements of the press laude him as a hero, as a journalist, as a whistleblower, I find incredibly disappointing, because his conduct as I see it, put Australian lives in danger and as far as I’m concerned, that is unacceptable.
Peta Credlin
I’m with you on that Senator Cash, thank you for your time.
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