Middle East conflict
Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:17): (527) My question is for the Leader of the Government, representing the Premier in the Legislative Council. Attorney, in 2021 your government made an agreement with Elbit industries to provide funding for their centre of excellence in Port Melbourne. Since these agreements were entered into, the Israeli state, aided by weapons developed and supplied by Elbit, have killed and injured over 100,000 Palestinians. Attorney, will your government cut ties with Elbit?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:17): I thank Dr Mansfield for her question, and I will pass it on to the Premier. Obviously there has been some consideration of related matters in the documents motion today, and I think it has been flagged for a petition. I would just urge the Greens political party to err on the side of caution before they start trying to build up conspiracies and fake facts that are not there. For the substantive response to that question, I will refer it to the Premier.
Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:18): I appreciate the Attorney passing on that question. I will say we are asking simple questions to clarify the facts about that – you either have a relationship or you do not. Will the government then commit to not entering into any future contracts with Elbit?
The PRESIDENT: I have got a concern that that is a hypothetical question. I will put the question.
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:18): I will refer it to the Premier.