Interview with James Glenday, ABC News Breakfast

James Glenday, Host: Alright, let's get some more on those last couple of stories because, as we just heard from Emma, the government has placed counter-terrorism sanctions on neo-Nazi terrorist group Terrorgram. The Foreign Minister Penny Wong joins us now from Parliament House in Canberra for more. Minister, good morning.

Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Good morning, James. Good to be with you both.

Glenday: What is this group and what sort of threat does it pose to Australians at the moment?

Foreign Minister: Well, Terrorgram is an online network which has facilitated white supremacists and terrorists. It is the first time an Australian Government has imposed these sorts of sanctions and we are doing it because we are working to keep Australians safe. You know, white supremacists, terrorists who are utilising this network now face counter-terrorism sanctions if they engage in with the assets or providing financial support. So, this is all part of the Government working to keep Australians safe at a time where we do see extremism, antisemitism on the rise and we have to continue to confront it.

Glenday: I know there will be restrictions on what sort of information you can share. You're privy to a lot of top secret information. Has this group been linked to the caravan of explosives that was found in Dural or indeed any of the other antisemitic attacks we've seen across Australia?

Foreign Minister: Look, I am certainly not going to get into ongoing investigations because we want to make sure that police can do their jobs and people can - everyone involved in the sorts of incidents you described can be identified, apprehended and face the full force of the law. But what I would say, is this is an online network which is all about extremism, white supremacists, people who spread hate. And so we have to use all the tools at our disposal to keep people safe, to keep Australians safe and to prevent our kids being radicalised online. And this is a very important step by the Government.

Glenday: Yeah, I mean it's difficult probably for people watching though, not to connect the dots with what we've seen around the country. Can you just tell us then how many people might actually be using a platform like this?

Foreign Minister: I think that, you know, Terrorgram is an international network. People all over the world and in Australia use it. We have to take action to prevent this network from continuing to be utilised. And this is one measure we are taking which is imposing counter-terrorism financing sanctions. Can I tell you, this will mean up to 10 years in jail, very substantial fines if people do this. And it's a very clear message: this is unacceptable and that we stand against hate in all of its forms.

Glenday: And you've also put some sanctions on the new Secretary-General of Hizballah as well. But I want to take you to another issue, Minister. Donald Trump started a trade war slapping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. What is that going to mean for us here in Australia? Will it drive up the costs of things and start seeing inflation increase again?

Foreign Minister: I'd make the point that President Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do. And we shouldn't be surprised by these announcements, they are consistent with what President Trump said during his campaign and what he said at the inauguration, which, as you know, I was privileged to attend. Look, in my engagements while I was in Washington for the inauguration, including with my counterpart, Secretary Rubio and other members of the Trump administration, I made very clear where Australia sits. We are a country in relation to whom the US has a trade surplus and all goods enter from the US under our free trade agreement, enter Australia without duties or tariffs or any other barriers. So, we are in a position where the US has a trade surplus with us.

Glenday: So, I mean, you're going to say that's good for us. Here's hoping they don't slap tariffs on Australia. I just wonder though, Canada is a friend, should we be reaching out to Ottawa and other similar countries that might face this sort of pressure and say, we've got your back, Canada, you know, we're going to stand with you on this.

Foreign Minister: As I said, you know, we have to navigate the world in which we live confidently and with our eyes open. And as I've said over and over again, President Trump has said he will do things differently and he is doing things differently. This isn't a surprise, but we have confidence in our ability to navigate this. I was very pleased to have engagement with the Trump administration on Australia's behalf from the very first day of the administration commencing.

Glenday: Sure, last time Donald Trump was in power, like-minded countries, Canada, Australia, maybe places like Germany, France, the UK, got together and started to work out some things that they agreed on and would push back on the United States. Do you think that's going to happen this time?

Foreign Minister: I think the President is implementing the agenda he was elected to implement. And I appreciate that there is a lot of commentary about it, but I'm a realist. Our government will navigate this just as we have navigated the, you know, the years since we've been elected to government, including strengthening and deepening our relationship with the United States.

Glenday: Doesn't sound good for Canada in the short-term. Alright, just finally, Minister, Parliament is back today, maybe for the last time, last sitting period before an election. Are your nature-positive laws, which the Western Australian Government hates, now dead, buried and cremated?

Foreign Minister: That's a very rhetorical flourish.

Glenday: I couldn't help myself, apologies.

FOREIGN MINISTER: Look, I think we've made clear that, you know, these laws don't have the sufficient support across different stakeholders. So, it's been made clear that we won't be proceeding with these and we understand the importance of making sure that these sorts of reforms are dealt with in a way that engages stakeholders in which some of the misinformation and concerns about them can be dealt with properly.

Glenday: Just before I let you go, I do just want to confirm. So, these rules are actually dead, they're not just sleeping to come back in the next term of Parliament.

Foreign Minister: I think we've made very clear that we have to look again at how we approach this issue, including with all stakeholders. And I have no doubt Minister Plibersek will do that.

Glenday: Alright, Foreign Minister Penny Wong. We do appreciate your time ahead of what is going to be a very busy week for you, so thank you again.

Foreign Minister: Thanks very much.