Fraser Anning (Queensland, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes the religious and historical significance of Jerusalem; and

(b) calls for the Australian Government to:

  (i) recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and

  (ii) move the Australian Embassy to the western side of Jerusalem, which in any scenario for peace is not disputed.

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Fraser Anning (Queensland, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia has a long, shared history with the Jewish state of Israel. That history dates back to the heroic charge of the Light Horse Brigade at Beersheba on 31 October 1917. The act of gallantry and courage saw the Allied forces liberate much of Palestine from the yoke of the Muslim Ottoman Empire.

Furthermore, Jerusalem, the eternal city, is a location of significant importance for the Jewish and Christian faiths, and it is only fitting that we acknowledge our religious and cultural heritage by moving our embassy to the eternal city. Jerusalem is the home of the Israeli government and the capital of Israel. It is about time Australia accepted this and followed the courageous steps taken by the President of the United States.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government considers Jerusalem to be a final status issue for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Australia will continue to maintain its embassy in Tel Aviv. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs have restated Australian policy on several recent occasions. The government has no plans to relocate the embassy to Jerusalem. Australia considers that, in view of the highly sensitive status of Jerusalem and its consideration as a final status issue, it is not conducive to the peace process to move the embassy there.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 840 standing in the name of Senator Anning be agreed to.