9th Oct 2024, 4:12 PM – Senate Motions - Israel Attacks: First Anniversary - Australia's social cohesion

The majority voted in favour of paragraphs (a), (f), (h), (k), (p) and (q) of the amendment moved by South Australian Senator Simon Birmingham (Liberal). This means they passed. Motions like these do not make any legal changes but are politically influential as they represent the will of the Senate.

Amendment text

That the Senate—

(a) reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of Hamas' terror attacks on Israel which took place on 7 October 2023, in which more than 1,200 innocent Israelis were killed, the largest loss of Jewish life on any single day since the Holocaust, and the vow made by the perpetrators to repeat these attacks indefinitely; ...

(f) reiterates that it stands with Israel and affirms its inherent right to defend itself and protect its citizens; ...

(h) reiterates Australia's consistent position is to call for the protection of civilian lives and adherence to international law; ...

(k) calls for Iran to cease its direct and indirect attacks on Israel, including through terrorist organisations the Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas, all of whom are committed to the destruction of Israel; ...

(p) condemns the actions of those seeking to celebrate and promote the barbaric actions of terrorist organisations; and

(q) reaffirms:

(i) that symbols of terror and discord are abhorrent and unacceptable in Australia and undermine our nation's peace and security,

(ii) that undermining social cohesion and unity by stoking fear and division risks Australia's domestic security, and

(iii) the responsibility of each Australian, and visitor to Australia, to safeguard the harmony and unity that define our diverse society, especially in times of adversity.