Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Moore move:

That the Senate—

(a) celebrates the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325);

(b) recognises that women and girls are disproportionately affected by armed conflict, and that women's participation in peace processes is vital to international peace and security;

(c) notes the inadequate implementation of UNSCR 1325 internationally, despite repeated commitments from parties to the resolution;

(d) calls:

(i) for the prioritisation of 'women, peace and security' programming in Australian aid delivery, and

(ii) on the Australian Government to update the Senate on concrete actions it has taken to implement UNSCR 1325; and

(e) notes the current independent interim review of the Australian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2012-18.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian government recognises that women and girls are disproportionately affected by armed conflict and that women's participation in peace processes is vital to international peace and security. We are committed to supporting the women, peace and security agenda, having recently announced a package of assistance at the UN Security Council's high-level review on women, peace and security in October. Our pledges support a key priority announced during our term on the UN Security Council and build on the government's gender equality agenda, including our National Action Plan on Women, Peace And Security. We will provide the additional $4 million over three years to the Global Acceleration Instrument on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Engagement. We were pleased to be the first country to earmark funding for the GAI, which will address the current financing gap, improve the timeliness of investments and invest in strengthening the capacities of grassroots women's organisations. Australia will also support new research by Monash University on how women are countering violent extremism in their communities and internationally, including preventing extremism, and identifying early warning signs. We have also dedicated $7 million to address sexual and gender based violence as part of our overall commitment of $59 million over the last 12 months in response to the Syrian crisis.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to seek from Senator Ryan—and I can make a few brief comments on why the Australian Greens, with the support of Senator Moore, have brought this forward—whether Senator Ryan put that statement on the record because the government intends to oppose the motion or whether the government is supporting it; I just seek some clarification, if I may.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We will find out when I put the question, I suppose, Senator Ludlam. I do not want to encourage a debate in this particular area, but Senator Ryan will indicate shortly. So the question is that general business notice of motion No. 909 be agreed to.

Question agreed to.