Anne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Stephens, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon,

(ii) the former Labor Government's contribution of $100.8 million to humanitarian assistance, and

(iii) the Abbott Government's contribution of $12 million to humanitarian assistance; and

(b) calls on the Government to immediately increase its humanitarian aid commitment to people affected by the Syrian conflict.

Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

After subparagraph (iii), insert:

(iv) the contribution of other international donors such as the United States of America (AU $420 million), the United Kingdom (AU $181 million), Kuwait (AU $553 million) and Norway (AU $235 million); and

Omit paragraph (b), substitute:

(b) calls on the Abbott Government to immediately increase its humanitarian aid commitment to people affected by the Syrian conflict in line with Oxfam Australia’s call for an additional $96 million.

Question agreed to.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian government is deeply concerned by the tragic loss of over 130,000 lives in the Syrian conflict. At the Geneva II conference, Australian ambassador Peter Woolcott called on parties to agree to end the violence and establish a transitional governing body. At the Second International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria, in Kuwait, in January, Australia pledged the same amount that it did at the Kuwait conference in 2013—namely, $10 million. In addition, we have also provided $2 million for the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons. Australia will certainly continue to play an active role in assisting the people of Syria to address humanitarian concerns and find a political solution to the conflict.

Original question, as amended, agreed to.