Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:01): I am taking the question representing the Prime Minister but I could equally take it as foreign minister. I want to start by saying that there are few issues that are more central for members of the Jewish community than the status of Jerusalem. It is more than a political issue; it is about history, about faith and about identity. It is at the heart of Israel's origins and its future and, importantly, there can be no lasting peace that does not address its status. The status of Jerusalem is so sensitive that, for the overwhelming majority of the international community, it has remained a final status issue to be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people. What the government has done is reaffirm Australia's previous longstanding and bipartisan position of that fact: that Jerusalem is a final status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people. I would remind the chamber that, notwithstanding some of the commentary, this has been Australia's position for decades. This was not changed by the Gorton government following the Six-Day War. It was not changed by Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke, John Howard or Malcolm Turnbull. Regrettably, there was one exception, which occurred during the period of the Morrison government, a period in which the shadow minister was a member of the cabinet. We know why that was. It was because he thought he could gain political advantage by announcing recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocating our embassy. Senator Birmingham: President, a point of order: the minister has provided one minute and 52 seconds of context for her answer. The sole question was whether the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Albanese, has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Lapid to apologise for the handling of the matter. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Birmingham. There was also a preamble to that question that mentioned holy days and the capital of West Jerusalem. I will listen carefully to the remainder of the minister's answer and I will draw her attention to the question if necessary. Senator WONG: The shadow minister also talked about the phrase 'deeply regrettable'. I think those are my words, and I have said that publicly. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham, a supplementary question?