Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Warringah for her question. Indeed, Australia does remain deeply concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. We continue to call for safe, unimpeded and sustained access for humanitarian supplies to enable lifesaving support for civilians in Gaza. We've committed $62.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the region since 7 October—that includes: $41 million to support people affected by the conflict; $11.5 million to refugee programs in Lebanon and Jordan to address the ongoing regional refugee crisis; $4 million to UNICEF to provide urgent services, including for women and children in Gaza; and $2 million to the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator's new mechanism to facilitate expanded humanitarian access into Gaza. Our funding is being directed to conflict-affected people, with a focus on women and children, including to support food, water, medicines and shelter. We're also supporting efforts by Jordan and the UAE to assist with the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. We've supplied 140 Australian Defence Force aerial-delivery parachutes for use in humanitarian assistance airdrops by Jordan and the UAE.

We have continued to reiterate our opposition to the ground offensive in Rafah. We called that out, including in advance with a joint statement by me, the Prime Minister of Canada and the Prime Minister of New Zealand. We said this:

There is growing international consensus. Israel must listen to its friends and it must listen to the international community. The protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas.

We are clear that a sustainable ceasefire is necessary to finding a path towards securing lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians. Ultimately, a negotiated political solution is needed to achieve lasting peace and security. Australia, Canada and New Zealand remain steadfast in their commitment to a two-state solution. We also have supported the call by President Biden and the US proposition which would see an end to the conflict. We have consistently voted month after month in the United Nations for UN resolutions calling for a cessation of conflict. As President Biden has said, a deal would allow the United States and our partners to begin the work to rebuild homes, schools and hospitals in Gaza to help repair communities destroyed in the chaos of war.

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