Dave Sharma: “loosen the grip Hamas has on Gaza”
Australia must do more to repel Russian aggression in Ukraine and loosen the grip Hamas has on Gaza, a former ambassador to Israel warns.
Dave Sharma, who lost his lower house seat at the last election, addressed the Senate for the first time on Wednesday after returning to parliament.
Australia had a significant role to play in upholding international rules and deterring would-be aggressors, he said.
“If Russia succeeds in extinguishing Ukrainian sovereignty or Hamas is able to claim a meaningful victory, then we will have failed this test,” Senator Sharma told the chamber.
“Ruthless actors the world over will be emboldened and the conflicts we so desperately sought to avoid will be brought instead closer to our own shores.”
Liberal Senator Dave Sharma made his first speech since returning to parliament. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
Australia’s Jewish community had been made to feel unwelcome in their own country, fearful at home and anxious about the future after Hamas’ attack on October 7, he said.
“Discrimination, vilification, harassment and intimidation against the Jewish community in Australia has reached unprecedented levels. This is utterly unacceptable.”
Senator Sharma warned of complacency, saying traditional protections of isolated geography and US firepower weren’t as reliable as they once were due to cyber attacks and an expanding Chinese military.
“This means greater surveillance and force projection capabilities in our defence forces and an ability to operate further from Australia’s shores,” he said.
“We also need to strengthen our defences against espionage foreign influence operations and digital and cyber attacks.”
He called for the defence force to embrace new technology, longer range missiles and armed drones to quickly boost Australia’s firepower and ability to project it.
“Australia faces significant tests, the likes of which we have not encountered for several decades,” he said.
Senator Sharma also targeted Australia’s housing shortage, calling on the Labor government to reduce the immigration intake and urging states to ramp up residential construction.
The senator returned to office in December 2023 after filling a vacant Liberal Party seat.
He is in a small pool of people who have given two first speeches to federal parliame
