Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

The government does not support the suspension of standing orders. There are other opportunities to advance these arguments in the Senate, including as a matter of public importance, an urgency motion in the general business debate, senators' statements and the adjournment debate.

The deaths of Ms Frankcom and her colleagues were inexcusable. We condemn the Israeli strikes that caused them. It is clear that these deaths were a consequence of a failure of Israel defence force controls, errors in decision-making, misidentification, a failure to comply with senior command direction, and a violation of Israel defence force procedures and rules of engagement.

This incident should not have occurred. The government appointed Air Chief Marshal Binskin as special adviser, to ensure that Israel's response is conducted in a manner consistent with these expectations and the expectations of the Australian people: to provide advice on the sufficiency and appropriateness of steps taken to hold those responsible to account and on the measures adopted to prevent such incidents happening again. Air Chief Marshal Binskin's report indicates that Israel's process is broadly in line with the approach that the Australian Defence Force would take in conducting an investigation. As his report makes clear, Israel's process for determining accountability is not over.

Today's motion demonstrates that nothing is exempt from pointscoring. The Liberals have criticised us for appointing Air Chief Marshal Binskin and for seeking to assure ourselves, the Australian people and Ms Frankcom's family that the process has been rigorous. The Greens criticise us for not doing enough. Both fail to recognise the real work this government has done, and continues to do, to ensure accountability and to ensure that humanitarian workers are protected.

The government will continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said, we continue to advocate to Israel on behalf of the Frankcom family. The Military Advocate General of Israel is still to decide on further action. Australia's expectation remains that there be transparency about the Military Advocate General's process and decision. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, has raised this directly with her Israeli counterpart. Senator Wong has asked Air Chief Marshal Binskin to be available to provide additional advice to the government following the Military Advocate General's process.

The government also wants to ensure the tragic deaths of Zomi Frankcom and her World Central Kitchen colleagues are not in vain and will not be repeated. Australia is working with the United Nations and the international community to press Israel to reform its coordination and deconfliction with humanitarian organisations working on the ground to protect aid workers and civilians, because this was not a one-off incident. Civilians and humanitarian workers continue to be killed, and Australia is disturbed by reports emerging that 18 people, including six United Nations relief and works agency staff, were killed in a recent Israeli air strike on an UNRWA school in Nuseirat refugee camp. The government reiterates that this cannot continue.

I move:

That the question be now put.

Question agreed to.