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

I ask that notice of motion No. 421, standing in my name for today, relating to the peace proposal for Israel and Palestine, be taken as a formal motion.

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

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal? There is, so formality has been denied.

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

In lieu of a suspension, I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

It is again deeply disappointing that the government has refused to consider this important policy motion. I shouldn't be surprised, because this is the mob that wanted to relocate the Australian embassy to Jerusalem in a desperate bid to chase a few votes for a by-election victory. That backfired and backfired spectacularly.

This is not a peace proposal; this is anything but. It's not worth the paper it's written on. It's a direct copy-and-paste of the PR manual of the Israeli Prime Minister, the man who is up on corruption charges. It reflects all of the Israeli government's arse. It rewards the theft of Palestinian land by rewarding illegal settlement activity. In this proposal, any Palestinian self-determination is contingent upon so many unrealistic demands. Australia should speak up against Trump's unfair and damaging plan, which is an enemy to— (Time expired)

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Senate. Labor notes that the US government released its vision for peace for the Israel-Palestinian conflict on 20 January 2020, and we acknowledge that this initiative declares support for an independent, sovereign state of Palestine. However, the initiative predetermines a number of final-status issues, which weaken the viability of any future Palestinian state. Whilst Israeli leaders support the plan, Palestinian leaders have rejected it. The reality of a peace plan is that if only one side of the conflict supports it there can be no peace.

Labor also acknowledges concerns that the initiative may pave the way for Israeli annexation, which risks further regional destabilisation. We can continue to support a just and durable two-state solution to the conflict and encourage both parties to pursue direct negotiations to that end. Furthermore, we call on all parties to refrain from actions that hamper peaceful outcomes for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.