Australia: Social Unity, Community Cohesion is a Suicide Pact

Al Bozo refuses to investigate the mosques, and Mr Wong will “promote social cohesion” uber alles!

Mr Wong refuses to do what must be done:

Penny Wong dodges questions on strengthening legislation to outlaw mourning terror leaders like Ali Khamenei

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has declined to consider changes to criminalise support for a terrorist leader after those who mourned Ayatollah Ali Khamenei escaped legal consequences.

Five of Australia’s 80 Shi’ah mosques organised memorial events for Khamenei, the slain leader of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which Australia has designated a terrorist organisation.

The government resisted political pressure to charge attendees, but revoked funding grants to mosques holding the ceremonies.  

The Foreign Minister said she was “disappointed” by the mourning, but insisted the government had “stronger powers now than we have ever had” after passing new hate crime laws in January.

Despite the new powers, the government has failed to act to combat those celebrating or mourning the slain Islamic dictator.

Ms Wong was asked directly whether mourning his death or posting his image should be criminalised given the government’s existing framework does not make it an offence.

But the Foreign Minister instead deflected and said there were “always judgements … about what is the best way to promote social cohesion”.

“I would make the point that we actually had an even stronger set of hate law provisions before the Parliament after … the horrific antisemitic attack at Bondi,” she said.  

“We are a government that is very clear about the importance of trying to use all the arms of powers available to us including [defining] what are criminal, what are national security issues, but also how we speak to each other and about each other.”  

Ms Wong refused to answer the question or indicate whether the government would even consider strengthening the laws.

It comes after the Prime Minister told Sky News last week he would not direct security agencies to investigate the mosques.  

“Look, what I’m about here is promoting social unity here, I’m not looking for division,” Anthony Albanese said.  

“The Australian government’s position has been very clear, and it’s an unequivocal one.”  

When asked if he would direct security agencies to monitor the mosques and those supporting Khamenei, Mr Albanese said: “No, what our agencies do is their work”.

“We will allow them to do their work and without ongoing running commentary on that work that they undertake,” Mr Albanese said. 

“They do extraordinary work and they deserve our support, and one of the ways that we give them support is not by running a commentary on a regular basis, we allow them to get about.” 

Khamenei led the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps which was designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the Albanese government in 2025. 

Under Part 5.3A of the Criminal Code, it is an offence to “associate with” or “provide support to” a state sponsor of terrorism.

The Department of Home Affairs said the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Act 2025 was focused on “foreign state entities”. 

Under the code’s strict definitions, “support” does not extend to mourning.  

Masjid Arrahman in Kingsgrove said it would hold three nights of commemoration “on the occasion of the martyrdom of … Imam Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei”. 

The mosque invited worshippers to attend a gathering “for his pure soul and for the souls of the martyrs who rose during the American-Israeli aggression”. 

Husaineyat Sayeda Zaynab Mosque posted it would hold a sitting event “for the soul” of “Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei”. 

Shi’a community organisation Flagbearer Foundation said it sent “condolences to the Imam of Our Time” and “all the believers” on the news of Khamenei’s death. 

Co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry Alex Ryvchin said any mosque honouring Khamenei should be subject to criminal investigation. 

“The fact that Khamenei’s forces coordinated at least two terrorist attacks in Australia makes this public adulation for him all the more concerning,” he said, after the IRGC was found to have directed attacks on a Synagogue and Jewish restaurant. 

“We cannot allow terrorists to be glorified in our country or for such actions to occur without consequence.”

Former spy chief Dennis Richardson said any investigation into mourners would depend on their intent.  

“People can mourn the Ayatollah without themselves being prepared to engage in violence,” Mr Richardson told Sky News on Thursday.

“One needs to separate out someone who might hold an extreme view that is to be condemned that is quite different to someone who is going to commit an act.  

“Separating those two out is very important for ASIO and that’s what they and the police do… it’s absolutely tricky but they’re judgments that ASIO and others are paid to make.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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But the Foreign Minister instead deflected and said there were “always judgements … about what is the best way to promote social cohesion”.

“I would make the point that we actually had an even stronger set of hate law provisions before the Parliament after … the horrific antisemitic attack at Bondi,” she said.  

“We are a government that is very clear about the importance of trying to use all the arms of powers available to us including [defining] what are criminal, what are national security issues, but also how we speak to each other and about each other.”