Greens motion on Palestine voted down
Written by admin on May 29, 2024
Adam Bandt, the leader of the Greens, has taken to the floor to move to suspend standing orders to debate his motion that the federal government recognise the state of Palestine.
It comes amid rising political tensions over Australia’s response to the war in Gaza, which have intensified after an Israeli air strike on a makeshift refugee camp killed at least 45 civilians on Sunday night.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Bandt urged lower house MPs to support what he described as a “critical step” towards achieving peace in the conflict-ridden region.
“Palestine now because of the scale … and the genocide that we are witnessing is now topping 36,000 people, or 36,000 civilians, who have been slaughtered,” Mr Bandt said.
“A health system has been destroyed. There are mass graves in hospitals. Aid has been blocked. Children are now dying because they did not have enough to eat or drink.
“We are seeing right now a human-engineered famine that is taking a toll on a civilian population that amounts to collective punishment of these people.
“It is time for countries including Australia to step in and do something and just as other countries have made it a priority to recognise the state of Palestine.”
Seconding the motion, Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather accused Labor politicians of being “complicit” in genocide and accused Australia of supplying arms to Israel.
Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Tim Watts said the minor party had deliberately set up a vote to “fail”.
“The Greens party had an opportunity to select this motion for debate at an allocated time on Monday but they chose not to,” Mr Watts said.
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“The Foreign Minister Penny Wong has made clear statements over the last month about the government’s approach to Palestinian recognition.
“This is the same approach that the Greens are trying to exploit for votes – simplistic, wedge motions in the house that would advance nothing for the cause of peace.”
The vote received 80 noes to five ayes, with Independent MP Andrew Wilkie voting with the Greens.
