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

As formal motions cannot be debated or amended they should not deal with complex and contested foreign policy matters which have potential to damage Australia's international relations. The Senate should not vote on such motions without the ability to have a full debate, given the serious and substantial issues involved.

The government is aware of Turkey's ongoing operations in Afrin province in northern Syria, and notes reports of air and ground operations, including the involvement of a Free Syrian Army. We are concerned that violence could escalate further, and call on all actors to exercise restraint and focus on defeating the remnants of ISIL. The ongoing fighting in northern Syria underscores the need for a political solution to end the civil war.