Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the foreign minister. Minister, when Donald Trump announced that the US would recognise Jerusalem and relocate the US embassy, it was universally condemned by almost every sane democracy. To name a few examples, Sweden called it 'a catastrophic decision' and New Zealand said it was 'a step backwards, not a step forwards'. Minister, I understand that you briefed the Indonesian government on this announcement. What was the response from the Indonesian government?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Di Natale for his question. I reiterate my statement in response to the previous question: the government remains firmly committed to the Middle East peace process and to a durable and resilient two-state solution that allows Israel and a future Palestinian state to exist side by side within internationally recognised borders. I acknowledge Senator Di Natale's question, but I am not in the habit of discussing my conversations with international counterparts in public.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Di Natale, a supplementary question.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the announcement is a body blow for the peace process and for the Palestinian people. It's unfair and it's dangerous. Minister, wouldn't you agree that the best way to support the peace process would be to condemn Israel for the 10,000 settlements it's pushed forward with and recognise the state of Palestine?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would refer Senator Di Natale to the observations made by both the Prime Minister and me earlier this morning. There is a clear, clear blockage, if you like, in progress in terms of the peace process and movement towards a two-state solution. The opportunity for Australia to have a sensible and intelligent discussion about some of these key policy issues is a very important one.

The Prime Minister has indicated that, in terms of the upcoming vote in the United Nations in relation to the Group of 77. In terms of the other matters that the Leader of the Government in the Senate raised—the matter of the arguments that have been put forward by our former ambassador to Israel, Mr Sharma—they have been discussed. Further engagement with Israel on defence and security matters, and reviewing, without prejudice, our approach to the joint comprehensive plan of action— (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Di Natale, a final supplementary question.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

LE (—) (): Minister, given that you are so committed to the peace process, in your conversations with the Netanyahu government about this dangerous policy shift did you even bother to raise concerns about the 10,000 settlements that the Israeli government has pushed forward with and demand that settlement building cease in line with international law?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have already indicated to the senator, and if he were approaching this in a responsible manner he would not expect his country to place their private discussions with our counterparts on the public record in quite this way; but then perhaps Senator Di Natale would, because he has no measure of the basic courtesies and respect that go to those processes. I have indicated before that the government has consistently raised concerns of such a nature with the Israeli government and we continue to do so.