Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I find it dangerous and outrageous that both major parties are praising what is a blatant violation of international law. The recent violence committed by the Iranian regime against civilians and protesters must be absolutely condemned. This in no way opens the door for the US and Israel to break international law and pave the way for nations across the world to disregard the international order. This order has come into place for a reason following the Second World War. It is intended to hold nations wanting to gain even bigger power in check and to protect the human rights of everyone across the globe.

This action taken against Iran and the action the US took against the Venezuelan leader have set dangerous precedents and may mean leaders of other nations might follow suit and take what they think should be theirs. Who can guarantee Russia or China will not follow suit? It also sets up the region for what we saw before in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, where US intervention caused protracted conflict and civilians died in the thousands.

What this conversation is also completely missing is that, in the course of the strikes on Iran, many innocent lives were lost. A school was hit and over 100 children died, and patients at a major hospital in Tehran had to be evacuated. These are civilians, and time and time again major powers play political games that disregard the most basic human right—the right to life.

The UN has not condemned these attacks for nothing. It is seeking to uphold international law and international human rights. I would like to know, from both the government and the coalition, have you now publicly unsubscribed from our international obligations?