Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The answer is no, of course, but I do like his language. I like the fact that he has returned to Shakespearean language: 'My honeyed words.' I like that deft Shakespearean touch; I take it as a compliment. As for the question of abstention, which is the government's position on this, let me remind the House that on countless occasions the previous, coalition government opted to abstain, which is a valid option in the General Assembly of the UN. In 2001, the coalition government abstained on a vote concerning the status of Jerusalem. In 2003, the coalition government abstained on a resolution concerning— (Time expired)