Senator Payne to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Friday, 10 November 2006, from 9 am, to take evidence for the committee’s inquiry into the provisions of the Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2006 Budget Measures) Bill 2006.

Senator Johnston to move on the next day of sitting:

That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee for inquiry and report by 16 August 2007:

The changing nature of Australia’s involvement in peacekeeping operations and the implications for the Australian Defence Force, AusAID, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Federal Police and other departments and agencies likely to be called on to assist a peacekeeping operation, with particular reference to:

(a)

the policy framework, procedures and protocols that govern the Government’s decision to participate in a peacekeeping operation, for determining the conditions of engagement and for ceasing to participate;

(b)

the training and preparedness of Australians likely to participate in a peacekeeping operation;

(c)

the coordination of Australia’s contribution to a peacekeeping operation among Australian agencies and also with the United Nations and other relevant countries; and

(d)

lessons learnt from recent participation in peacekeeping operations that would assist government to prepare for future operations.

Senator Johnston to move on the next day of sitting:

That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee for inquiry and report by 29 March 2007:

The nature and conduct of Australia’s public diplomacy, with particular reference to:

(a)

the extent and effectiveness of current public diplomacy programs and activities in achieving the objectives of the Australian Government;

(b)

the opportunities for enhancing public diplomacy both in Australia and overseas;

(c)

the effectiveness of and possible need to reform administrative arrangements relating to the conduct of public diplomacy within and between Commonwealth agencies and where relevant, the agencies of state governments; and

(d)

the need, and opportunities for expanding levels of funding for Australia’s public diplomacy programs, including opportunities for funding within the private sector.

Senator Allison to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that:

(i)

the wall Israel is constructing in the West Bank is 10 times the length of the Berlin Wall and three times as high,

(ii)

the length of the ‘Green Line’, the border between Israel and the West Bank, is 315 kilometres and the path of the wall is 670 kilometres long,

(iii)

Israeli settlements with their bypass roads and security zones occupy 42 per cent of the West Bank,

(iv)

there are now more than 200 Jewish-only settlements in the West Bank,

(v)

78 per cent of the Israeli settlement population comes from Europe and North America,

(vi)

Israeli settlers in the West Bank consume five times more water than Palestinians, water that is taken from Palestinian water sources,

(vii)

Palestinian travel is restricted or entirely prohibited on 41 roads and sections of roads throughout the West Bank, covering a total of more than 700 kilometres of roadway, however Israeli settlers can travel freely on these roads, and

(viii)

there are now more Jewish settlers in Palestinian East Jerusalem than Palestinians; and

(b)

urges the Government to consider these facts in its efforts to assist with a peaceful two-state solution in Palestine and Israel.

Senator Allison to move on Wednesday, 8 November 2006:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes the petition organised by the International Jewish Solidarity Network and published in the New York Times in September 2006 that declares:

i.

As Jews of conscience living in the United States, we are outraged by the violence being perpetrated in our name, both as Jews and US citizens.

ii.

... There is no Jewish safety, nor Jewish claims to justice, reason, or equity, beyond Jewish commitment to the unconditional safety and liberation of the peoples of Palestine, Lebanon and the other Arab and Muslim countries currently under assault by Israel, the US and its allies.

iii.

We, Jews of Conscience, demand that the US government:

1.

Require Israel to stop its brutal siege on Gaza and on Lebanon and call for an unconditional cease fire.

2.

Require Israel to stop the expansion of the Israeli Wall of Separation, dismantle the completed sections, and completely withdraw from Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

3.

Support the United Nations resolutions demanding that Israel uphold international law and support the sanctions against Israel necessary to enforce these resolutions.

4.

End military and economic aid to Israel.

5.

Support reparations for the Palestinian and Lebanese people for the death and destruction they have suffered and for aid towards the rebuilding of their countries; and

(b)

encourages the Government to support the demands of the petition.

Senator O’Brien to move on the next day of sitting:

That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee for inquiry and report by 19 June 2007:

The adequacy of Australia’s aviation safety regime, with particular reference to the performance by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of its functions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, including its oversight of Lessbrook trading as Transair.

Senator Stott Despoja to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that:

(i)

on 17 October 2006, the United States Congress passed the Military Commission Act 2006,

(ii)

Mr David Hicks is yet to have charges laid against him under that Act,

(iii)

provisions of the Act include:

(a)

admission of evidence that has been obtained by torture,

(b)

conviction on evidence that Mr Hicks may never be allowed to see,

(c)

the removal of the right to a speedy trial,

(d)

the removal of the right of habeas corpus, the right of a detainee to challenge his or her unjust imprisonment, and

(e)

the removal of the right of Mr Hicks to cross-examine witnesses who have given evidence against him, where that evidence may have been obtained by torture, and

(iv)

under the provisions of the Act, Mr Hicks will not have the opportunity of a fair trial; and

(b)

calls on the Government to take steps to facilitate a fair trial for or the repatriation of Mr Hicks.