Penny Wong will be granted powers to decide if the Governor-General can designate foreign state entities as state sponsors of terrorism; Penny Wong consulting Anwar Ibrahim who supports HAMAS, about her Palestine policies, suggests that Penny Wong must not be granted that power

 by Ganesh Sahathevan

From the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS)  website:

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025 (the Bill).

The Bill would

• create a new legislative framework that would enable the Governor-General to list foreign state entities as state sponsors of terrorism on the advice of the Australian Federal Police Minister, with agreement from the Foreign Affairs Minister
• create new offences which would criminalise conduct engaged in by these entities, as well as conduct engaged in by persons who would seek to assist or support these activities
• provide for appropriate defences, for example for persons who are required by law to engage with a listed entity or engage with an entity for a legitimate purpose
• make amendments to various other Commonwealth Acts to apply the law enforcement powers and other policy tools that are available in response to, or targeted at the prevention of, terrorist acts to the new provisions concerning state sponsored terrorism.

While it is common if not usual practise to seek the  agreement of the Foreign Affairs Minister in matters that involve foreign entities, Wong's conduct in consulting 

Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim about recognising a Palestinian state  despite Anwar's support for HAMAS, suggests that there foreign affairs and local law enforcement are areas where the priorities may be in conflict. The Bill is  useful and necessary, and it should only require the advice of the Australian Federal Police Minister. It should not require the agreement of the Foreign Affairs Minister.

TO BE READ WITH

Friday, April 12, 2024

Penny Wong consulted Malaysia about recognising a Palestinian state -Malaysia does not recognise Israel's right to exist, Malaysian government and media's word for Israel is "Zionist Regime"

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 

                 Penny Wong and Anwar Ibrahim

As reported by the AFR:

Foreign Minister Penny Wong canvassed extensively with a series of international counterparts, including UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and ministers from key Muslim countries before announcing Australia could potentially recognise Palestinian statehood.

Over the past month or so, Senator Wong has spoken to foreign ministers from Egypt and Jordan – the first two Arab countries to recognise neighbouring Israel – as well as a slew of South-East Asian ministers at Melbourne’s ASEAN summit, including Malaysia and Indonesia, two big international champions of the Palestinian cause.

Malaysia's does not recognise Israel's right to exist. That determination is reflected in  Malaysian government and media statements in which  even the  word  Israel is forbidden. The word  "Zionist Regime" is used instead.

As reported previously, Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim (who effectively runs the government, over-riding his ministers) has insisted that he will always support HAMAS. 

Wong cannot but be at least aware that her two state proposal really means the end of Israel as it currently exists.

Friday, April 12, 2024

Albanese and Wong may fantasise about a Gaza , Palestine without HAMAS , but HAMAS will be active in Asia, and Australia - In 2019 Hamas said considers Malaysia its gateway to Asia

by Ganesh Sahathevan



Labor ignored warning of UNRWA links to Hamas -The Australian 

As reported by the AFR:

Foreign Minister Penny Wong canvassed extensively with a series of international counterparts, including UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and ministers from key Muslim countries before announcing Australia could potentially recognise Palestinian statehood.

Over the past month or so, Senator Wong has spoken to foreign ministers from Egypt and Jordan – the first two Arab countries to recognise neighbouring Israel – as well as a slew of South-East Asian ministers at Melbourne’s ASEAN summit, including Malaysia and Indonesia, two big international champions of the Palestinian cause.

Meanwhile in Malaysia 

"I said that we, as a policy, have a relationship with Hamas from before and this will continue"-Anwar ibrahim

Hamas considers Malaysia its gateway to Asia