Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

In the context of the crisis unfolding, obviously one of our key priorities is to work with other countries to prevent this conflict from spilling over. Yesterday I spoke about this. That is also why we are so clear in our call that civilian lives must come first and respect for humanitarian law is paramount. That is why our priority is supporting Australians in Israel, in the West Bank and in Gaza and in securing a humanitarian corridor to Gaza for the safe departure of civilians.

Here at home, our role as a government and, I would say, our role as a Senate is to do all we can to keep our country unified and to make sure our community feels heard, and I ask all senators to be part of that effort. There are times when it is important that we put aside partisan politics and differences of views because there is a greater purpose to what we are doing.