Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm grateful to Senator Bernardi for conceding that this is a contentious issue. It's a complicated issue. It's a matter of foreign affairs. It's a dispute that has been going on since prior to 1948. It's one that is disputed and encompasses a whole range of issues that are incredibly complex, so much so that, since before 1948, the world has been unable to resolve this conflict. It's a conflict that has had many spin-offs across the world. It's one of the great tragedies and failures, I think, of the international community.

We know already that of course the government is monitoring all our aid and is looking at these issues very closely. We certainly do not need a resolution of the Senate to ensure that the government is actually carrying out its fiduciary responsibility in respect to the spending of aid. But it is really the height of all arrogance to think that this Senate, by passing a resolution, would contribute in any constructive or positive way to the resolution of this horrific dispute that has been going on for so many decades. It really is the height of all arrogance to admit that this is a complex matter, a difficult matter, yet say we should bring it to the Senate and have a simple yes-or-no vote on such a thing. I don't think it's right. I think it's consistent with the position the opposition took yesterday in denying formality to these sorts of motions; it does not help with the conflict. I really don't get why anyone would bring such a resolution here, if they're really serious about aid. The government is on top of that and looking at all those issues already and, of course, making those appropriate arrangements. But to think that a resolution of the Australian Senate is going to assist in the resolution of this conflict is just beyond me. I would have hoped the government would have supported—