Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) recognises that:

(a) 12 August 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the foundation of modern international humanitarian law; and

(b) they are as relevant to armed conflict today as in 1949;

(2) acknowledges that the conventions, while universally accepted, are not being uniformly respected in times of war, underscoring the need for ongoing commitment;

(3) recalls that the conventions and their additional protocols protect civilians, medical personnel, chaplains and humanitarians as well as non-military places such as hospitals;

(4) emphasises that compliance with international humanitarian law during armed conflict can reduce the human, economic, social and environmental cost of war, and facilitate the return to sustainable peace;

(5) honours the role of Australian Red Cross in:

(a) disseminating and ensuring respect for international humanitarian law; and

(b) providing education about the correct use of the emblems of the conventions and their additional protocols;

(6) pays respect to the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross in assisting victims of armed conflict and working for the advancement of international humanitarian law; and

(7) determines that Australia should remain a global leader in the promotion and implementation of the conventions and their additional protocols.

One aspect of my job that I hold dear to my heart is being co-chair, along with the member for North Sydney and the member for Cowper, of the Parliamentary Friends of the Australian Red Cross. I've been involved with this group for all of my 17 years in parliament. It's given me an insight into the crucial work the Red Cross and its volunteers do in our communities and around the world during difficult times.

We all recognise the emblem of the Australian Red Cross—the opposite of the Swiss flag—and we see that red cross during times of humanitarian need. Australian Red Cross staff and volunteers are always at the front line as emergency situations unfold, such as bushfires, cyclones or flooding here in Australia and famine, earthquakes and so many other disasters overseas. They're always there in the aftermath of these disasters to provide food, shelter, support and access to services. In fact, in the six months to April 2024, there were 10 activations of the Red Cross in Queensland alone. That meant 375 Red Cross personnel across 137 days of continuous activation over 87 different locations. As a Queenslander, I thank them for the work that they do during times of distress and need. It's important to acknowledge that their work does not end when the floodwaters subside or the power comes back on. The Red Cross continues to work to help affected communities get back on their feet.

Of course, the Australian Red Cross sits within a wider organisation, and I'm pleased to have the opportunity today, on the 75th anniversary of the Geneva conventions, to reflect on the role of the wider International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The International Committee of the Red Cross was founded in 1863 by a Swiss businessman, Jean-Henri Dunant, as a neutral and impartial organisation to aid those affected by the hardships of war on all sides.

There's no more crucial time to stress the absolute urgency for all countries to uphold the Geneva conventions. These are the international humanitarian laws that outline, amongst other things, how civilians should be treated during armed conflict. Seventy-five years ago today the cornerstone instruments of international humanitarian law were signed. It is tragic that the number of armed conflicts occurring right now is higher than ever before. More than 110 conflicts are currently devastating communities and regions around our world.

The foundational objectives of the four conventions are to protect people who are not or who are no longer participating in an armed conflict and to restrict the means and methods of warfare. The first convention concerns wounded and sick soldiers on land during war; the second convention focuses on wounded, sick and shipwrecked sailors at sea during war; the third convention protects prisoners of war; and the fourth convention concerns civilians, including those in occupied territories.

National organisations like the Australian Red Cross work to promote and ensure respect for international humanitarian law—the rules that come with being human. Not only do they prepare people to work within zones of armed conflict; they work with the ADF and other organisations to train them on international humanitarian law. I give a big shoutout to all the ADF legalos who do that great work.

Respect and understanding of the principles of the Geneva conventions lay the foundations for enacting them when conflict breaks out. I pay tribute to the selflessness and courage of those serving humanitarian needs in zones of armed conflict. Many of them bear the emblems of the International Red Cross and the International Red Crescent. Tragically, some of them pay the ultimate price for their work, giving their lives to help those in need.

Australia is steadfast in its upholding of international humanitarian law. Last month the Prime Minister released a joint statement with the prime ministers of Canada and New Zealand to urge for a ceasefire in Gaza. The statement described the human suffering there and stressed:

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.

The joint statement also called for Israel to respond substantively to the International Court of Justice's advisory position.

On this important anniversary, I call for renewed respect for human dignity and compassion—indeed, a renewed commitment from all countries to uphold our common humanity. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will be reiterating this call when they meet later this year. We need to narrow the gap between acceptance of and compliance with international humanitarian law. This is paramount. The innocent victims ask that of all of us.

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