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AGAINST – Motions — Israel Attacks: First Anniversary

Sue Lines

I remind senators that, after 6.30 pm yesterday, a division was called on the amendments moved by Senator Birmingham to the motion moved by Senator Wong concerning Hamas's attacks on Israel and the ongoing conflict. I understand it suits the convenience of the Senate that the deferred vote be held now.

Penny Wong

by leave—I will make a short statement. The government will be requesting that the question on the amendments moved by the opposition be divided. I've had a discussion with Senator Birmingham and I think he's of the same mind—I'm sorry I haven't had a chance, Senator, to speak to you about that. We seek to vote separately to oppose amendments contained in paragraphs (i), (l) and (m) of the sheet of amendments, which is on pages 6 and 7 of the Notice Paper, circulated by the opposition yesterday. For the clarity of the chamber, paragraph (i) relates to the opposition seeking to delete reference to the number of Palestinian civilians killed and the catastrophic humanitarian situation. We wish to oppose that amendment. From paragraph (l) the opposition seeks to remove the reference to a ceasefire in Gaza. The government wishes to oppose that amendment. From paragraph (m) the opposition seeks to delete the proposition of support for a two-state solution, and the government wishes to oppose that amendment. However, in the interests of seeking maximal bipartisanship on this, the government is supporting the remaining amendments. For the benefit of senators, I table a letter I wrote to the Leader of the Opposition that outlines the government's position.

Sue Lines

Thank you, Minister Wong. I advise the chamber that the Government Whip did advise the chamber last night that the government would be seeking to vote differently on the different amendments.

Simon Birmingham

by leave—President, when it comes to the question, I foreshadow that I will ask that certain parts of the substantive motion, after we've dealt with the amendments, be voted on separately. But we'll deal with that when we get there.

Sue Lines

The first question is that the amendments as moved by Senator Birmingham be agreed to, and the government has requested that they be dealt with separately. So the question is that the opposition amendments to paragraphs (i), (l) and (m) be agreed to.

Summary

Date and time: 4:06 PM on 2024-10-09
Senator Pocock's vote: No
Total number of "aye" votes: 29
Total number of "no" votes: 32
Total number of abstentions: 15

Adapted from information made available by theyvoteforyou.org.au