On Tuesday, 29 July 2025 during Estimates hearings in relation, I asked the Treasurer and Under Treasurer about the Queensland Government's support for weapons manufacturers supplying weapons and parts to Israel.
You can read my question and the Premier's response in full below, or in the official Parliamentary record of proceedings (Hansard) here.
Mr BERKMAN: Yes, I have, thank you, Deputy Speaker. Treasurer, you would know that the former government’s treasurer proudly maintained relationships with Ferra engineering, which supplies weapons components for the F-35 fighter jets that the Israel Defense Forces used in its illegal and clearly disastrous war in Gaza. Given the growing acknowledgement of Israel’s unacceptable violations of international law, including recent acknowledgements by the Australian government, will the Treasurer rule out any additional support for companies manufacturing or supplying weapons or weapons components for use by the IDF? I include in that question any funding via Queensland Investment Corporation.
Mr JANETZKI: I will seek some information in relation to it and return by the end of the session, honourable member, because in machinery of government there are certainly different responsibilities now with me than the former treasurer had as his ministerial responsibilities as outlined. I will seek some information in respect of that question, in particular that investment and those investments that you are seeking, and I will come back to the committee by the end of the session.
Mr BERKMAN: I would appreciate that. Might I ask a follow-up question?
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, but just before you do, Treasurer, do you mean before the end of this Treasury session or before the end of the day?
Mr JANETZKI: By the end of the day. I think the end of this session is 4.30. It will be by the end of the day, just to be clear.
Mr BERKMAN: I will put this question to the Under Treasurer, if I might. Weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall Defence is still listed on Treasury’s website as a key investment growth story and has previously received public funds in Queensland for its domestic and international defence projects. Given that Rheinmetall was specifically named in the UN Office of the High Commissioner’s warning that states and companies supplying weapons to Israel risk responsibility for human rights violations, what assurances has Treasury sought that Rheinmetall will stop arming Israel?
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Under Treasurer, just a moment, please. I am seeking some advice about that question. Under Treasurer?
Mr Williams: We engage a number of government policies in due diligence processes around the granting of money in alignment with government policy. With respect to that specific example, I will have to seek further information and return by the end of the evening session.
Mr BERKMAN: I would very much appreciate that, and if possible can you add to that whether any future public funding to this company would be dependent on assurances about not continuing to assist in arming Israel?
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Maiwar, we note your supplementary question. Under Treasurer, it is up to the Treasurer whether he wants to take things on notice or not.
Mr JANETZKI: Can I ask that we come back by the end of the session?
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: By the end of the day, given the time.
Mr JANETZKI: Yes, not 4.30 but by the end of tonight’s session—by seven—with that further information, to the question from the honourable member that I received and also the question to the Under Treasurer.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you.
Mr CRANDON: I have a point of order. I believe we were giving up some of our time to the member for Maiwar because he arrived late so that he could be afforded some time to ask questions.
[The Treasurer returned to the question later in the day]
Mr JANETZKI: Yes, Deputy Speaker. Several matters were raised during the session this afternoon and this evening. The member for Maiwar raised support provided by the former government to both Ferra engineering and Rheinmetall and we have ongoing agreements with both of them.
The member for Maiwar raised concerns regarding the potential provision of weapons to certain countries. I have been advised that the Commonwealth Defence Export Controls office regulates and approves the export of weapons and, therefore, this is not a state matter. [...]
Mr BERKMAN: Point of order, Deputy Speaker.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Maiwar, I will listen to your point of order but I note that we are pretty much out of time. I think the Treasurer is about to finish by thanking officials.
Mr BERKMAN: I appreciate that.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I preface whatever you are going to say with these words: once the Treasurer has finished thanking people, we are wrapping up this session.
Mr BERKMAN: Indeed. The Treasurer committed to come back to us on notice about the issues around Ferra engineering and Rheinmetall, but the statement he has just made goes no way towards answering those questions. Will the Treasurer commit to taking them on notice and answering whether he will rule out any additional support for companies manufacturing or supplying weapons—
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Maiwar, I will stop you there. As I said to you earlier, the time for examination of the estimates has expired. You have made your statement. I will give the call to the Treasurer to thank people and then we will wrap up this session today.
Mr BERKMAN: Deputy Speaker, the question is whether the Treasurer will take those questions on notice.
Mr JANETZKI: No.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The answer is no.