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

Senator Henderson is so keen to have a political fight on this catastrophic conflict that she doesn't even listen. Can everyone on that side stop playing domestic politics with this war? I think Australians want that. They don't want the conflict brought here. They don't want the conflict brought here by you, by the Greens or by the sorts of violent protests we have seen. They do not want that. The amendment I will move adds—I'll read this, and people can tell me which bit of this they disagree with. After the motion moved by Senator Birmingham, the amendment will add the following: 'notes that it is not in the interests of Israelis, Palestinians or any others in the Middle East to see the conflict broaden; calls on all parties to exercise restraint; supports efforts to press all parties to the conflict in Gaza to agree to the ceasefire proposal; and endorses the government's position to support recognition of the state of Palestine as part of a peace process in support of a two-state solution and a just and enduring peace'.

I think that actually represents where the majority of Australians are. It represents what people are seeking. The problem is that this will probably be voted down because the Greens cannot bear to vote for something that says 'two-state' and those opposite cannot bear to vote for something that says 'recognition'. That is the absolutism on display here today and in this debate constantly. It is irresponsible and it is wrong. The only party that is demonstrating consistency and maturity on this is the Australian Labor Party. I appreciate that at times it is hard, because it is easy to be absolutist. It is easy to speak to people's fear. It is easy to promote division. But that is not Labor's way, and we will not do that. I move:

At the end of the motion, add ", and the Senate:

(a) notes that it is not in the interests of Israelis, Palestinians or any others in the Middle East to see the conflict broaden;

(b) calls on all parties to exercise restraint;

(c) supports efforts to press all parties to the conflict in Gaza to agree to the ceasefire proposal; and

(d) endorses the Government's position to support the recognition of the State of Palestine as part of a peace process in support of a two-state solution and a just and enduring peace".

I also move:

That the question be now put.