Melissa Parke (Fremantle, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

This past week the Abbott government reached a new low for Australia's international standing and reputation. Earlier this year the foreign minister questioned the illegality of Israeli settlements, a position that is untenable in international law and practice.

Now the Attorney-General has changed the Australian government position referencing the status of East Jerusalem from 'occupied' to 'disputed'. The Prime Minister and foreign minister have sought to defend this as a mere clarification of terminology, but it is not. The term 'occupied' carries with it very specific meanings and responsibilities under international humanitarian law. It is a fact, not an opinion, that East Jerusalem is occupied. The Attorney General's position is a complete nonsense as well as being at odds with the view of the entire international community aside from Israel itself. Professor Ben Saul of Sydney university has written:

Australia's new view is starkly at odds with the true status of east Jerusalem under international law. It also corrodes the international rule of law and violates Australia's international law obligations.

He goes on to describe the Attorney General's views as 'astonishingly ignorant and foolish.'

This is an issue of incredible importance and sensitivity to the rest of the world. We have seen this week the reaction from Arab states, which may impose import bans on Australian goods. It does beg the question as to what internal processes this government followed to change what has been a bipartisan Australian position for decades. Did the government take advice from DFAT? Did they ignore advice? Did they arrogantly believe there would be no repercussions?

It is time for this government to start acting like the adults they profess to be, to admit they have been mistaken and to restore Australia's adherence to international law.

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