Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia
TRANSCRIPT
Sky News with Andrew Clennell
26 August 2025
Topics: Iran ambassador expelled from Australia; IRGC listed as terrorist organisation;
E&OE
Andrew Clennell
Joining me live on the desk is Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash, who’s been briefed by the government. What do we know about these attacks?
Senator Cash
Well, basically, what was said today should horrify all Australians. The summer of antisemitism – now it’s proven that Jewish Australians in this country, Andrew, in this country, were under direct attack from a foreign power that sought to do them harm. Let’s be very clear, this was the Islamic Republic of Iran via the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, utilizing proxies so that they could disguise who they were to take action on Australian soil. They could have killed Australians. Let’s now wake up as a country. National security matters. Jewish Australians, they were under direct attack, Andrew from an organization that funds the terrorist group Hezbollah, and funds the terrorist group Hamas. We need to wake up as a country and understand there are some regimes the Islamic Republic of Iran, that do not hold the same views as us and seek to do us harm.
Andrew Clennell
Has the government done enough?
Senator Cash
The Government obviously is going to have a lot of questions to answer in relation to this, but we have been clear, we welcome their listing of the terrorists – to become a terrorist organization.
Andrew Clennell
You called for it 2 years ago.
Senator Cash
This is just it, right, it should have been done earlier. We have a Senate committee report in February 2023, that clearly stated, put national security, put the safety of Australians first, and list these people, and the government did not.
Andrew Clennell
That’s a bit embarrassing, isn’t it? Like I just showed the letter.
Senator Cash
It’s utterly horrifying. This government, though, Andrew, let’s be honest, they’ve never taken national security seriously until they are dragged kicking to the table. Let’s see how quickly they turn the legislation around, because we have been very clear, we will facilitate this legislation through the parliament.
Andrew Clennell
Surely, tomorrow morning, this legislation will be introduced into Parliament?
Senator Cash
When you have got the resources that a government has, but not only that, when you have the Islamic Republic of Iran seeking to do harm to Australians. 27 million Australians should be standing up and demanding this government take the necessary action as quickly as possible.
Andrew Clennell
These attacks happened before in Europe, Iran has hired Hells Angels to conduct csuch attacks. Yep. So you know, it’s a pattern, isn’t it?
Senator Cash
Well, not only that – that is why you list something as a terrorist organization. That is why we called for this over two years ago. Yes, because of those attacks, absolutely. But also the information we got from the Iranian community here in Australia, who had fled the brutality of the Islamic Republic of Iran have embraced our culture here in Australia. But the reason you do it is this, you send a message to the proxies on the ground. If you are found to have done this, you will go to jail. That’s why you do it. That’s why we called for it. And whilst Yes, we welcome what the government has today announced – they should have done it two years ago when we called for it.
Andrew Clennell
Is it just the ambassador being sent home or other diplomats?
Senator Cash
That is something that you’d need to put to the government.
Andrew Clennell
Is there more the government could or should do to sanction Iran?
Senator Cash
Well, in the first instance, this is a good step. What I would say is this, though, given that the summer of antisemitism, we now know the Jewish people in Australia were under direct attack from a foreign power, the Islamic Republic of Iran, via the IRGC, they should be getting the Jewish community around a table, they love a good round table, and saying as of tomorrow, what do we need to do to implement our own special envoys report to us regarding antisemitism in this country.
Andrew Clennell
Just briefly, two arrests in relation to Melbourne attack involve a 20 and a 21 year old. What do you make of such young people being enlisted by a foreign government?
Senator Cash
Oh, just utterly disgraceful in this country. And it was something that we were incredibly strong on. You need to ensure that at all times by taking action to protect Australians, and one of those actions is ensuring that people are not placed in this position where they will do this harm to Australians.
Andrew Clennell
Just finally, seven MPs have raised in the party this issue of urgency, in regard to the opposition’s position on net zero and , 2035 climate target position. I reported incorrectly that you spoke in relation to this, but I do wonder what your view is. And have you spoken to Sussan Ley about your personal wish to come up with a position sooner rather than later?
Senator Cash
Can I say in the first instance, good on Sussan for allowing us to go through this process. It is important. But I have been very clear when the Western Australian Liberal Party passed our motion in relation to net zero, the Australian people come first. Under Mr. Albanese, he is literally breaking their banks. Mr. Albanese and Chris Bowen are taking us on a pathway to higher energy prices, blackouts and emissions, quite frankly, not a lot is happening there.
Andrew Clennell
So are you urging Sussan Ley to come up with a position on the 2035 target as soon as possible, straight after the government comes up with their position?
Senator Cash
I think that we will need to, but Sussan is giving us the ability to work through that process. But I think the Australian people, once the government announced a 2035 target, which is literally going to raise the price of electricity in this country, of course, we’ll need to come to a position.
Andrew Clennell
The troops are restless though aren’t they, that was apparent today.
Senator Cash
You know, the wonderful thing about the Liberal Party and the National Party, unlike the Labor Party, is, yes, we get to have discussions.
Andrew Clennell
But Sussan Ley didn’t allow those discussions today.
Senator Cash
I don’t comment on what happens in the party room, other than I’m delighted that Sussan is allowing people to express opinions. That is something that all Australians should value each and every day. In the Labor Party, be careful what you say. You might be kicked out.
Andrew Clennell
Michaelia Cash. Thanks so much.
Recent Comments