Wong on Thursday suggested the government could soon restart funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA),which is investigating claims that 12 of its employees were involved in last year’s attack,and that many more were affiliated with the terror group.
On Friday,Dutton told reporters:“Now,if the foreign minister is directing Australian taxpayers’ money to an organisation known to be a front[for] or affiliated or associated with a terrorist organisation,her job is completely untenable.”
“And again,if the prime minister had the strength of leadership,he would stand up and say that Australian taxpayer money is not going to a terrorist organisation.
“If Penny Wong is now advocating,knowing that this money is going to an organisation not fit for purpose,if that is her argument,then the prime minister should sack her.”
A spokeswoman for Wong said she had acted entirely within the law and that the government had received legal advice on the issue.
“Our focus is the dire humanitarian situation and what Australia can do to help – Mr Dutton is focused on making false and exaggerated claims for a cheap political hit,” the spokeswoman said.
Wong spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the importance of humanitarian assistance reaching civilians in Gaza in a phone call on Friday.