Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Minister Wong. Minister, since dawn today, Israel has starved 13 more Palestinians and killed 105. Babies are withering away from Israel's man-made starvation, and people are pulling their loved ones out of rubble. This week the International Association of Genocide Scholars confirmed that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The head of IAGS said:

… This is a definitive statement from experts in the field of genocide studies that what is going on on the ground in Gaza is genocide … There is no justification for the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide, not even self defence …

The United Nations, Human Rights Watch, the International Federation of Human Rights, Amnesty International and many other groups have also declared that Israel is committing genocide. Minister, when will you admit that Israel is committing genocide and start using the 'g' word?

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

Well, Senator, like you, we want to see a ceasefire and, I hope, like you, we want to see a pathway to a Palestinian state, because that is the basis of security and peace for not only Palestinians but also Israelis. What I would say in relation to the legal position—and you would have heard me say it on many occasions—is that Israel must comply with the binding provisional orders made by the International Court of Justice, which made provisional orders in 2024 in relation to South Africa's case against Israel under the genocide convention. You would have heard me, on many occasions, call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law.

What we would say in relation to this latest report is that the Israeli government should take this resolution seriously, just as they should take seriously all of the calls from the international community to comply with international law. That has been our consistent position. It remains our consistent position. We will continue to advocate in accordance with international law.

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

Senator Faruqi, first supplementary?

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the genocide convention, which you mentioned and to which Australia is a signatory, not only requires states to take action when a genocide is occurring but to prevent it from occurring and ensure that states are not complicit. Thirteen states have already recognised Israel's genocide and resolved to take action to prevent genocide through the Hague Group. How long will you be a bystander without taking any concrete action against Israel's genocide of Palestinians?

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

It's disappointing that Senator Faruqi takes the approach she takes. She knows that this government has been steadfast in our calls for the observance of international humanitarian law. She also would have seen some of the response from members of the Israeli government when I have done that and when we have done that. You would have seen the response. We have been very clear about our position on international humanitarian law. We believe it is in Australia's interests to continue to assert that position, and we will go to the United Nations this month and we will work with others to recognise the state of Palestine, because we are working with others in pursuit of peace.

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

Senator Faruqi, second supplementary?

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The former human rights commissioner Chris Sidoti, yesterday, said:

What is the alternative to a functioning international legal system? The only alternative is that might is right. The law of the jungle. The replacement of a rules-based international order with a fools-based international order.

Yet, Minister, you stand here and gaslight us every time we ask you to take action. Will you abide by international law or will you continue to shield Israel and support tyranny?

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

We are doing none of those things. And, on something as important as this, Senator, I do not understand why you feel the need to engage in personal attacks and the demonisation of others in pursuit of your own political objectives. I think it is objectionable. What I would say is this: I would invite you, Senator, to read many of my speeches about international law and the international rules based order.

What I have said, repeatedly, is that Australia has an interest in advocating for the rules based order—whether it is international humanitarian law or the law of the sea in the South China Sea, we have an interest in it. And I've made, actually, precisely the point you advert to—that, in the absence of that, we have an international system which is run by power alone. And, as a middle power, that is not in our interest. So what we do, whether it is with the law of the sea or what we do with others, is to continue to advocate for that system. (Time expired)