Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Hamas is a terrorist organisation in exclusive control of the Gaza Strip. Hamas slaughtered 1,200 Israeli civilians in cold blood on 7 October 2023, including numerous women and children. Hamas then took hundreds of hostages, many of whom they murdered, and Hamas still hold a number of hostages in their tunnels two years later. Hamas routinely uses the people of Gaza as human shields. They use hospitals for military operations, they disrupt the flow of aid to their own population and they constantly say that their primary aim is to wipe Israel off the map. Given that the brutal terrorist organisation Hamas continues to exclusively control the Gaza Strip, will the Albanese government categorically rule out ever recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas is in control of Gaza?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Cash for the question—for the opportunity to speak about recognition and also, again, to reiterate the same condemnation of Hamas that the government has issued since the horrific events of October 7. I know that Senator Cash only wants to talk about Hamas. I would say to her: I've answered your question and the questions of your colleagues since this war began about our position on Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organisation. We condemn them. They are a listed terrorist organisation dedicated to the destruction of the State of Israel. We have a very clear position in relation to Hamas.

In relation to recognition, as you would know, all countries, including Arab countries, have made clear that they want to see a reformed Palestinian Authority and wish to see Hamas demilitarised. Countries have made clear that they want the security architecture in the Middle East to ensure the security of Israel. This is where the international community is, this is where the discussion is and this is where the government is engaging.

Why are we engaging on these issues? We're engaging on these issues because we know, as does the rest of the international community—you would have seen the announcement by the United Kingdom, following the announcement also by the President of France—that, if we want long-term peace and security in the Middle East for Israelis and Palestinians alike, we need to deal with the issue of a Palestinian state. That is the best way to ensure stability and peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. So, Senator, I would suggest to you that it might be good to grapple with that reality, because that is where the discussion of the Middle East is internationally and where countries understand— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cash, first supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask again: will the Albanese government categorically rule out ever recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas is in control of Gaza? In particular, the former Labor frontbencher—now a backbencher—Ed Husic has said that he believes right now is the time to recognise a Palestinian state.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What I would say to Senator Cash is: please refer to my previous answer and the multiple answers I have given over the last years, since this conflict began. Really, people should understand in this place just how out of touch the coalition is on this. They don't even support a ceasefire, which the whole world, including President Trump, supports. You do not even support a ceasefire. That is how extreme the position of the coalition is with this person as shadow foreign minister. She does not even support a ceasefire that President Trump himself supports. That says something about the extent to which your position is divorced from the reality of what is happening on the ground, what is happening for people in the Middle East, and what is happening to the women and children of Gaza, who are—

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hamas.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, they are not all Hamas, Senator. This is the problem with your position. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cash, second supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Almost every legitimate body has the goal of an enduring, negotiated and peaceful two-state solution. The fighting could end tomorrow, but so far Hamas has rejected every peace plan and opted to continue the conflict and suffering for its own purposes. Does the government acknowledge, as many Arab countries in the region now appear to have done, that the primary obstacle to peace in Gaza is not Israel but Hamas?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think the question that we are all confronted by when we see what has happened in this horrific conflict over so long is: What can we now do to make a contribution to peace and stability? What can we now do to make a contribution to the provision of aid to people who are starving as a consequence, in great part, of a deliberate decision by the Israeli government to withhold aid, which was made? We have all condemned Hamas. I consistently, as does the Prime Minister, call for hostages to be released. But I would suggest to you, Senator, that your position is out of kilter with where the international community is going. You don't even support a ceasefire, which is supported by President Trump and the whole world.

At some point, it would be good to be able to say something without her constantly talking at me. I've been pretty reasonable. I've let her go on. She is the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, but— (Time expired)