Senate debates

Wednesday, 15 November 2023

Motions

Gaza: Casualties

3:38 pm

Photo of Jordon Steele-JohnJordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That at the conclusion of formal motions today, the Senate observe a minute of silence in memory of the civilian lives lost in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | | Hansard source

This motion is another attention-seeking stunt from the Greens political party, a party that has consistently vilified Israel and voted against condemning Hamas. For the past 40 days, since the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel that killed the largest number of Jews in a single day since the Holocaust, the Greens have voted against, spoken against, walked out on or sought to drown out through chants every opportunity they've had to condemn the Hamas attack and to support Israel's right to defend itself and its citizens from terrorism, kidnapping and ongoing missile attacks.

Sadly, many people have died from war and conflict this year in many parts of the world. The coalition grieves for all innocent lives lost in all wars. We do not support the Greens' posturing and ask that our opposition be recorded in Hansard.

Question agreed to.

Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) Share this | | Hansard source

We will record the opposition of the opposition. I ask all senators to observe a minute's silence.

Honourable senators having observed a minute's silence—