David Leyonhjelm (NSW, Liberal Democratic Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the United States of America' s Department of State has informed the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General of the United States' intention to withdraw from that organisation on 31 December 2018 due to its continuing anti-Israel bias, and

(ii) Australia is also a friend of Israel, as well as a close ally of the United States; and

(b) calls upon the Government to consider Australia' s membership of UNESCO.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia continually reviews its membership of all international organisations to ensure they align with our national interests. Australia currently intends to remain a member of UNESCO. Australia's interests are well served by UNESCO's work on culture and freedom of speech and by its programs in areas like preservation of heritage. UNESCO's efforts to counter violent extremism and the destruction of cultural property are highly relevant to the struggle against Daesh. Australia agrees with the United States that some UNESCO resolutions have treated Israel unfairly. When these issues arise we raise our concerns actively with UNESCO board members and like-minded member states.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Leyonhjelm be agreed to.