Of course the Labor Party doesn’t want to see anybody starving, and that’s the case in respect of Gaza. That is why Australia has committed $52.5 million in humanitarian aid, and it is why Australia has resumed its contribution towards UNRWA and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance where it’s needed in Gaza.
Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (15:50): My question is to the Minister representing Minister Wong. Under intense pressure from the community and the Greens, the Labor government has been forced to reverse its disgraceful suspension of UNRWA funding. It is clear that funding was suspended by Minister Wong without any evidence and that this compounded starvation and suffering for Palestinians. Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and others have said that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war. At least 23 children in northern Gaza have died from malnutrition and dehydration—
Honourable senators interjecting—
The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Faruqi, I’m sorry; please resume your seat. Senator Faruqi has the absolute right to ask her question in silence—from both sides of the chamber.
Senator FARUQI: Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and others have said that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war. At least 23 children in northern Gaza have died from malnutrition and dehydration in recent weeks, adding to the over 13,000 already killed by Israel. In a world where Palestinians’ lives mattered to the Labor Party, it would be an absolute political scandal for a sitting minister—
The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Faruqi, your time has expired. Minister Farrell.
Senator Faruqi: They were shouting. Will you admit—
The PRESIDENT: Senator Faruqi, resume your seat. Your question was extremely long and, regardless of interjections, I doubt you would have got to the end of it. You are not in a debate with me. I’ve asked you to resume your seat and not continue with such disorderly conduct as to keep reading the question. I’ve called the minister.
Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:52): I thank Senator Faruqi for her question. Of course the Labor Party doesn’t want to see anybody starving, and that’s the case in respect of Gaza. That is why Australia has committed $52.5 million in humanitarian aid, and it is why Australia has resumed its contribution towards UNRWA and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance where it’s needed in Gaza.
The circumstances in Gaza are terrible; we all know that—the loss of life. We are making—
Senator McKim: Why did you stop the funding?
Senator FARRELL: Do you want to hear the answer? We stopped because there was good reason to make the decision to review the contribution, based on evidence that had been provided.
Senator McKim: There was no evidence.
Senator FARRELL: With respect, Senator McKim, there was evidence that resulted in this government making the sensible decision to review. But we have resumed the contribution, so I do find it very difficult to understand the point that you’re making, Senator Faruqi, when we have restarted the contribution and, as I said, when that contribution totals $52.5 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Faruqi, first supplementary?
Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (15:54): The ICJ ordered Israel to take immediate steps to allow aid in, and the UN has repeatedly asked the world to act and for Israel to allow aid into all parts of Gaza. Minister Wong has said that she is imploring Israel to allow more aid. Beyond mere weak words, Minister, what actions has the Labor government taken to force the Israeli government to stop blocking aid? And will you admit your gross mistake in suspending UNWRA funding and apologise for it at least?
Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:54): No, Senator Faruqi, I won’t apologise. We took the appropriate action in the circumstances: to review our humanitarian contribution to UNRWA, based on the evidence that had been provided. We have now resumed those payments and we have done that, as I’ve said before, with a range of other countries, including New Zealand, Canada and the European Union. We have made the right decisions all the way along the line here, Senator Faruqi. You may not like it, but all of those decisions have been made by the government and have been the correct decisions. And we will continue to make the correct decisions, and that includes seeking discussions with the Israeli government on— (Time expired)
The PRESIDENT: Senator Faruqi, second supplementary?
Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (15:55): Israel is intent on a ground invasion of Rafah. After forcibly displacing Palestinians in Gaza to Rafah, having murdered over 31,000 Palestinians, Israel is now starving children to death and its genocide is leading to mass hunger and famine. Yet the Labor government continues to support Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Minister, when will the Labor government stop supporting and arming Israel?
The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Faruqi. Minister Farrell, I reminde you to address your answers to the chair.
Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:56): Thank you, and I thank Senator Faruqi for her second supplementary question.
It is as if the terrorists from Hamas in October last year didn’t exist, based on your question, Senator Faruqi. What you have to understand is that almost 1,300 innocent men, women and children on the southern border of Israel were massacred in a terrorist assault by Hamas. The government took the decision that the Israeli government had—
Senator McKenzie interjecting—
The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator McKenzie, when I call order, it applies to you. Interjections between you and Senator Rice across the chamber are incredibly disorderly. I am asking all senators not to interject.
Senator FARRELL: As I said, it is as if those events did not occur. The Australian government took the correct decision that the— (Time expired)