Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Middle East conflict

Samantha RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) presented a petition bearing 242 signatures:

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that the Victorian Labor Government formed a partnership with Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer, in January 2021; signed a memorandum of understanding with the Israel Ministry of Defense in December 2022; and that leaders of the Victorian Labor Government in both Houses moved resolutions on 17 October 2023 declaring that it “stands with Israel and recognises its inherent right to defend itself” without any reference to international law or restraints on civilian casualties. Since these actions, the Israeli military has killed or wounded over 100,000 Palestinians and maintained a siege on Gaza, leading to an impending famine of nearly all 2.3 million Palestinians, according to the UN. The International Court of Justice made an interim finding that there is a plausible case for genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel. The UN has affirmed that all states that have acceded to the Genocide Convention have a responsibility to prevent genocide; as a signatory, Australia has clear obligations. The Victorian Government’s partnership with Elbit Systems, which manufactured the drone that murdered Zomi Frankcom, risks implicating Victoria in the crime of genocide.

The petitioners therefore request the Legislative Council call on the Government to end its partnership with Elbit Systems and its memorandum of understanding with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, and support an immediate embargo on military trade from Victoria to Israel.

Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, earlier this year I tabled petition 508 in relation to the payroll tax contract provisions. I received a response to my petition from the Treasurer on 18 March, where he says, amongst other things:

The Government acknowledges the integral role played by doctors and healthcare service providers in supporting the health and wellbeing of our community. However, the Government also remains committed in upholding fair and equitable taxation treatment for businesses across all sectors of the economy and is therefore not able to support the petition request to exempt contractor doctors from payroll tax.

Given that there has been a backflip by government on this very issue, I am wondering if the Treasurer can provide an updated written response to my petition.

The PRESIDENT: I cannot ask the minister to do that.