Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister's reference to Labor's economic illiteracy shouldn't pass anyone's mind today, and I'm sure we'll be reminded of that tonight. I refer to the decision taken by the Labor government on a Jewish holy day to stop recognising Israel's capital of West Jerusalem, a decision which deeply offended our closest ally in the Middle East and the Jewish community in Australia but which was praised by two violent terrorist groups. Has the Prime Minister spoken to or communicated with the Israeli Prime Minister and offered an apology?

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

Australia was among the first countries to formally recognise Israel, under Prime Minister Ben Chifley, and it occurred when Doc Evatt was head of the United Nations. Australia is and will remain a steadfast friend of Israel. We have reaffirmed Australia's previous, longstanding and bipartisan position that Jerusalem is a final status issue that should be resolved as part of peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people. It's the same position that is held by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand and Canada. It's the same position that was held by John Howard, the same position that was held by Tony Abbott, and the same position that was held—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Prime Minister will pause. The Prime Minister is just one minute into the answer. I call the Leader of the Opposition on a point of order.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance, Mr Speaker: the Israeli Prime Minister has criticised this Prime Minister and this decision of government—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If you are taking a point of order, you must state the point of order, not add extra to the question. I give the call to the Prime Minister.

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

It's the same position that was held by Menzies, Holt, Gorton, Fraser and Howard; the same position that was held by Tony Abbott; the same position that was held by Malcolm Turnbull; the same position that they sat there, up until 2018, and held. And what happened in 2018 was there was a by-election held in the electorate of Wentworth, and they said that they would change what had been a bipartisan position since the creation of Israel in 1948. They said that, but, once they got through the election, they didn't follow it through. They didn’t move the Australian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Say what you like about Donald Trump, at least he followed it through. At least he followed through the position. Those opposite did not, thereby showing that this was not a decision of substance. It was a decision of gesture. What we need in the Middle East to secure peace is substance, not gestures. We need peace in the Middle East to be based upon a two-state solution, which recognises the right of Israel to exist in secure borders and also recognises the rights of the Palestinian people. My government will not waiver in our support of Israel or of the Jewish community in Australia. We're also unwavering supporters of the rights of the Palestinian people. What we need is a solution to the Middle East, not playing domestic politics during a by-election in order to secure a so-called advantage.