Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bob Brown for his question and interest in this area. Australia's position on the Middle East peace process is clear. Australia has consistently and strongly supported a nego­tiated two-state solution that allows a secure and independent Israel to live side by side with a secure and independent future Palestinian state. Australia continues to urge both parties to return to direct negotiations as a matter of urgency. The government and, indeed, the international community are under no illusions about the difficulty of such negotiations.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd, has underlined to both sides Australia's strong support for a negotiated two-state solution during visits to Israel and the Palestinian Territories in December 2010 and March and April 2011. Australia is a longstanding friend and close partner of Israel. We have a strong longstanding commitment to Israel's right to security and self-defence. Australia played an important role in the 1948 negotiations that led to Israel's creation and voted in favour of General Assembly resolution 181 in 1947 to establish separate Jewish and Arab states. This support is unwavering.

Australia is also making a tangible contribution to the peace process through our support for the Palestinian people. Since 2007 we have provided nearly $170 million in humanitarian and institution-building assistance to the Palestinian National Auth­ority and refugees. Australia is now the 10thlargest donor to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The government has also established a five-year development partner­ship with the Palestinian Authority, including regular budget support delivered through the World Bank and scholarships focused on disciplines critical to institution building. (Time expired)