October 6, 2024
James Paterson has claimed the government has “no stomach for tough decisions,” pointing to Labor’s failure to expel the Iranian ambassador to Australia after he praised the dead leader of terrorist group Hezbollah on social media.
Ahmad Sadeghi, who has been serving in the post since 2023, made the contentious remarks in a post on X during the last week of September.
The Australian reported Mr Sadeghi referred to Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon’s capital Beirut, as a “prominent standard-bearer”, “remarkable leader”, and a “blessed martyr”.
Nasrallah, backed by Iran, during his life engaged in a campaign of terror attacks including abductions, suicide bombings, car bombings and assassinations.
It was later revealed the Mr Sadeghi had been called to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Friday and "reminded of his obligation to respect Australian law and to stay out of domestic affairs,” according to the Weekend Australian.
It is the second instance the ambassador has had to be hauled in by Canberra, after a post to X in August supporting "wiping out the Zionist plague out of the holy lands of Palestine happens no later than 2027".
When asked about the matter on Sunday by Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell, Mr Paterson said it was not the ambassador’s “first offence”.
“The ambassador, this isn’t his first offence,” Mr Paterson said while appearing on Sunday Agenda.
“It’s not even the first time he’s been called in for a cup of tea at DFAT but if you seriously think that is going to change his behaviour, I think you are very naïve.
“The only way we will get the ambassador to respect Australians and our law is for the Iranian regime to fear the consequences.”
He concluded by saying the Prime Minister had “no stomach for the tough decisions required,” referring to the fact the ambassador remains in his post amid calls from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for the diplomat to be expelled.
“ … And (Anthony Albanese) is going to allow the Iranian ambassador to continue to flout the law and Australian customs because he has no stomach for the tough decisions required,” Mr Paterson said.
When asked last week if the ambassador should be booted out for his controversial comments, Mr Albanese condemned the remarks and any support for terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah.
“The government condemns any support for terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah. We condemn the Ambassador's comments,” the Prime Minister said at a press conference in Sydney on Friday.
“Australia has maintained a diplomatic relationship with Iran since 1968 that has been continuous, not because we agree with the regime, but because it's in Australia's national interest.
“It has never been an endorsement of the regime, but it has been a channel to protect Australia's interest and to communicate our views and the views of our allies, like minded countries. "My government has taken the strongest actions of any government on Iran.”
