APAN has been documenting references to Palestine and Israel in the Australian parliament since 2011. Speeches are listed chronologically, and can be searched by parliamentarian, party, date, or format.
Senator Steele-John – condemned Israel for its ongoing dispossession of the Palestinians and labelled Israel’s actions as apartheid
The Australian Greens believe that the state of Israel is guilty of practising the crime of apartheid. In this belief, we are supported by reports from very many human rights organisations and legal organisations which have come together year after year to state this reality to the world. Full speech Senator STEELE-JOHN (Western Australia) (20:01): […]
Penny Wong – responding to a petition presented by Susan Templeman MP calling on the House to officially recognise a Palestinian state
The Albanese Government’s approach is guided by the principle of advancing the cause of peace and progress toward a just and enduring two-state solution. We believe the conflict is a matter that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties, and that viewing the conflict from just one perspective will not achieve peace and any […]
Senator David Shoebridge – speech marking the 75th anniversary of the Nakba
I will join with protesters in Sydney this Saturday to mark 75 years since the beginning of the Nakba. I say this having visited the West Bank and seen the daily brutality myself. I will stand in solidarity with Palestinians in calling for peace with justice. Full speech Senator SHOEBRIDGE (New South Wales) (13:50): Palestinians […]
Senator Mehreen Faruqi – speech marking the 75th anniversary of the Nakba and demanded justice for Palestine
But the Nakba is not just about that day. It is about the continued dispossession of the Palestinians, the denial of their human rights and their ongoing targeting by Israel. The Nakba is live every day for the more than seven million refugees displaced during Israel’s creation and their descendants still awaiting justice. Every day […]
Senator Dean Smith – spoke in support of the motion moved by Josh Burns MP on the IHRA working definition of antisemitism
In accordance with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition on antisemitism, hostility towards the legitimacy of Israel and the right of the Jewish people to statehood is ultimately an act of antisemitic hate. Full speech Senator DEAN SMITH (Western Australia) (19:48): Earlier this month, a motion in the House of Representatives included an acknowledgement […]
Senator Jordon Steele-John – condemned the recent violent rampage by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank
A state that denies rights to millions of people and systemically discriminates against a fifth of its citizens cannot be considered a true democracy. The Israeli military is standing idly by while hundreds of settlers go on a rampage, freely killing and injuring Palestinians, burning down their homes and destroying their property. Full speech Senator […]
Andrew Wallace MP – spoke in support for the IHRA working definition of antisemitism and stressed Australia’s duty to defend Israel
We also have a duty to defend the state of Israel, the world’s only Jewish state and our friend and ally. The people of Australia and Israel have a long and enduring relationship which was forged in moments throughout the Second World War… We are democratic partners and egalitarian people, and we owe much of […]
Steve Georganas MP – spoke out against the rise in antisemitism in Australia and the stressed the importance of education
What can we do? As a government and a parliament we can take every opportunity to raise this, as we’re doing today, and have good legislation that prevents it. We can also work together with other parliaments, international groups, international bodies and organisations—for example, Australia became a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, the […]
Matt Burnell MP – spoke in favour of the motion moved by Josh Burns MP on the IHRA working definition of antisemitism
Antisemitism has existed throughout the centuries in varying forms, though with many common similarities and themes. Antisemitism is something that exists right here in Australia, and its prevalence is increasing in a number of ways. Full speech Mr BURNELL (Spence) (17:26): I rise to speak in favour of the motion moved by my good friend […]
Julian Leeser MP – spoke in support of the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism by the government and by Australian universities
There should be no place for antisemitism on Australian campuses. It’s time for Australian universities to live their values again. That’s why we need all universities to follow the lead of Melbourne university and adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, call out antisemitism where it occurs, take action against it and send it back to […]
Allegra Spender MP – seconded the motion moved by Josh Burns MP on the IHRA working definition of antisemitism
However, the IHRA definition explicitly notes that any criticism against Israel that is similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be described as antisemitic. So if Israel is seen and judged on the same conditions as other countries, then it cannot be described as antisemitic. Full speech Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (17:31): I’d like […]
Josh Burns MP – moved a motion calling on parliament to “reaffirm its commitment to the IHRA working definition of antisemitism”
Being critical of Israel is not antisemitic, nor does this definition shut down debate or limit freedom of speech. It simply creates a framework about how to engage in free and robust debate without descending into bigotry. There are more working examples that people can and should read, and then you can make up your […]
Senator Janet Rice – called on the Australian government to condemn the “punitive measures by the Israeli government against Palestinians”
The Australian Greens want to see an end to injustice and human rights violations. The Australian government must do more to advocate for an end to the occupation. We want to see peace, justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians. Full speech Senator RICE (Victoria) (20:44): The Australian Greens believe that universal human rights are […]
Maria Vamvakinou MP – spoke of a recent parliamentary event that stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people
There is strong support in solidarity with the Palestinian people, regionally and internationally and in significant communities right across Australia. In line with the commitment of the United Nations to this issue, the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to a state, must be recognised and realised. Full speech Ms VAMVAKINOU (Calwell) […]
Senator Mehreen Faruqi – speech commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and highlighting their ongoing oppression
With all this violence, death and injustice there is still no action from the Australian government. What is happening in Palestine is this: Israel is committing the crime of apartheid… The Australian government must loudly call out every injustice committed and firmly resist Israel’s attempts to whitewash its crimes. Full speech Senator FARUQI (New South […]
Tony Zappia MP – spoke of the UN special rapporteur’s recent report on the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories
Despite 139 countries now recognising the state of Palestine, after decades of negotiations and conflict, the Israeli-Palestinian issue remains unresolved. Eight million Palestinian people continue to live in Israel-occupied territory and refugee camps in neighbouring Arab states. Simultaneously, the Palestinian people face everyday struggles for survival, the loss of land, human rights violations and oppression. […]
Graham Perrett MP – speech commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people
Our nation voted in favour of the resolution on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. We did this because Australia supports the resolution’s reaffirmation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and recognises the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a future state. Full speech Mr PERRETT (Moreton) (13:31): Today […]
Senator Anne Urquhart – speech honouring Shireen Abu Akleh and all those killed by Israeli forces
Today is the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People. This day exists to call on the international community not just to speak but to act. We must recognise the rights of Palestinians as equal to those of Israelis: to have self-determination, to have security and to live equally amongst the world’s nations. […]
Alicia Payne MP – speech commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has now lasted over 15 years. We should celebrate the people delivering assistance. We must not forget the plight of the Palestinian people. Full speech Ms PAYNE (Canberra) (13:50): Today is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. To this day Palestinians make up 21 per cent of […]
Senator Fatima Payman – spoke on the treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military courts including the imprisonment of Shadi Khoury
Israel is the only country in the world that systemically prosecutes children in military courts that lack fundamental fair-trial rights and protections. Between 500 and 700 Palestinian children face military courts each year. These courts have a 99 per cent conviction rate for Palestinians. Full speech Senator PAYMAN (Western Australia) (13:43): International Day of Solidarity […]