26th Mar 2024, 5:42 PM – Senate Matters of Urgency - Middle East - Humanitarian crisis in Gaza

The majority voted in favour of an amended motion, which means it passed. These types of motions don't make any legal changes, but are politically influential because they represent the will of the Senate majority.

Motion text

That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of urgency:

(a) that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is catastrophic and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are starving;

(b) that all parties to the conflict in Gaza comply with the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) demand in relation to ceasefire;

(c) that immediate action must be taken by Israel to comply with the UNSC's demand that all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale are removed;

(d) that Hamas comply with the UNSC's demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs; and

(e) that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including orders of the International Court of Justice which are binding.