FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The world is less stable than it has been for decades.
At this time of uncertainty Donald Trump’s decisions about trade and defence bring significant uncertainty to our 80 year alliance.
I absolutely condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This unlawful military action has resulted in a huge number of civilian deaths and a humanitarian crisis, as thousands of Ukrainians are internally displaced or have fled abroad.
Trump’s seemingly flexible position on Ukraine and embracing of Russian positions should not affect Australia’s support of Ukraine’s national sovereignty and the upholding of international law.
As Australia considers its role in a new coalition of countries willing to support Ukraine, I will continue to advocate for decisions that will help Ukraine maintain its international rights without overcommitting Australia’s defence capability.
In this rapidly changing international context, we need leaders who are clear about the need to defend our national interests, including the rules-based order, democratic principles and free trade.
Gaza
The Israel/Hamas conflict has been and continues to be devastating beyond belief.
Early on, I made the decision to refrain from public statements on the Hamas terrorist attack and the subsequent Israeli retaliation in Gaza because I believed anything I said would not help to reduce the conflict and instead could further break down our sometimes fragile social cohesion in Australia. Instead, I focused on advocacy to the Foreign Miniter, regularly passing on the concerns of my constituents.
During the first sitting week of the 48th Parliament I spoke publicly on the situation in Gaza and stood with Medecins Sans Frontieres, supporting the presentation of its public petition to the Australian Government, to demand action to protect lives, stop weaponising aid and lift the siege in Gaza.
The immediate priority is to ensure starving children are being fed and the people of Gaza are not shot while desperately trying to seek food at distribution centres.
It now seems pretty clear that starvation is being used as a tool of war and it’s got to stop. The Israeli Government is ignoring international public opinion and international humanitarian law.
The frequently reported demonstrations within Israel by Israelis are a reminder of the complexity of the issues facing that nation and the differing approaches being debated in democratic Israel. Friends of Israel have to hope that it can find solutions that will work for it and achieve peace.
I have spoken and met with many constituents, advocates and concerned community groups and have passed on their messages to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, including our distress and anxiety over the continued blockage of aid into Gaza, the now mass acute malnutrition crisis facing the Palestinian people, and the lack of viable medical facilities or functioning hospitals.
As I have done since first addressing this conflict, I also call on the terrorist organisation, Hamas, to release all remaining hostages immediately.
I believe that for peace to ever be achieved in this region, a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine must be pursued. To be successful, Palestinians and supporters in surrounding countries will need to recognise Israel’s right to exist and Israel will need to recognise the right of Palestinians to their own state. These are challenging conditions precedent to success and can only be delivered by the parties involved. Without that, it is hard to see a resolution to the conflict.
Almost half of us in Australia were born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas. Australians of all backgrounds should feel safe and free here without fear of racial slurs or vilification. I condemn any antisemitic or Islamophobic language which fosters division in Australia.
Australia is a culturally diverse, civil and tolerant nation. We must hold tightly to the democratic values that underpin our national identity and enable diverse communities to live peacefully together as Australians.
As a country, we must play our part in upholding international law. The Australian Government should be using all the diplomatic tools it has to uphold international law and address this humanitarian crisis in Gaza now.
Defence and AUKUS
READ: Crossbench Calls for AUKUS Inquiry (13 June 2025)
As an island nation, submarines are essential to our defence. Our commitment to AUKUS was based on our deep long-term alliance with the US and the interoperability of our defence systems.
Donald Trump’s unpredictable approach to geopolitics creates a growing risk that the US cannot or will not be able to deliver submarines to Australia under AUKUS.
It will be politically difficult for either major party to acknowledge the risks of AUKUS. But we cannot afford to wait and see.
It is inevitable that Australia will have to be more self reliant in defence both because of increasing international uncertainty and the demands of the US. There is a task ahead building social licence for higher (and prioritised) defence expenditure.
As an Independent, I can ask the hard questions that both parties would rather avoid. The next government will need to be very clear about what Australia stands for and our national interest.
Trade and tariffs
As a trading nation, Australia benefits significantly from the free trade philosophy that has been hard won by Australian governments of both persuasions.
Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on the US’s trading partners will harm the global economy. But Australia will not benefit from retaliation or escalation – it is in Australia’s interests to retain as many aspects of free trade as possible.
We faced damaging, politically-inspired trade restrictions from China that were dealt with successfully by patient diplomacy. Australia needs to continue to build fair trading relationships with as many nations as possible to reduce the risk of being at the mercy of any other nation.
