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

In line with the longstanding view of successive governments, given that formal motions cannot be debated or amended, they should not deal with complex and contested foreign policy matters. Australian policy is to support direct negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians to achieve a two-state solution. This policy has continued across governments. Unilateral recognition of a state of Palestine would not contribute to returning the parties to negotiations.