James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Australia continually reviews its membership of all international organisations to ensure they align with our national interests. Australia currently intends to remain a member of UNESCO. Australia's interests are well served by UNESCO's work on culture and freedom of speech and by its programs in areas like preservation of heritage. UNESCO's efforts to counter violent extremism and the destruction of cultural property are highly relevant to the struggle against Daesh. Australia agrees with the United States that some UNESCO resolutions have treated Israel unfairly. When these issues arise we raise our concerns actively with UNESCO board members and like-minded member states.