Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that Palestinian representatives have indicated that on 29 November 2012 they will be introducing a resolution to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to recognise Palestine as a non member state of the UN; and

(b) calls on the Australian Government to support Palestine in being granted non member state observer status at the UN.

I seek leave to speak on this motion for one minute.

Leave granted.

This is a very important motion before the Senate today. As I said, on 29 November there will be a vote in the United Nations General Assembly on the recognition of Palestine as a non-member state observer in the United Nations. This would provide Palestine with the same status as the Vatican and would enhance the legal rights of Palestine. It is a compromise position. Australia, with an increased leadership role as part of the Security Council, ought in my view to join the overwhelming majority of the rest of the world in supporting this move to enhance the legal rights of Palestine. I note that today the government has moved in its position, now saying that it will abstain from the vote. While the United States and Israel will oppose the non-member state observer status, Australia will now be abstaining. (Time expired)

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to speak on this motion for one minute.

Leave granted.

The coalition oppose this motion because we do not believe that it is the path to peace and reconciliation between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. Our concern is that the drive for greater recognition at the United Nations is an attempt by the Palestinian leaders to internationalise the conflict by bringing action against Israel through various international courts. This is likely to escalate and prolong the conflict rather than lead to a resolution of disputes. The only path to peace is for the Palestinian leadership to officially recognise the right of Israel to exist and to halt the firing of rockets and mortars as part of a campaign by militants to terrorise and kill Israeli citizens. Australia has long supported the two-state solution and the right of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to live peacefully and in safety within internationally recognised borders. We urge both sides to resume negotiations towards a lasting peace in the region.