Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:48): First, there are assertions made by the shadow minister which are incorrect. I again say that the discussion between the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Israeli ambassador on my instruction did occur after a series of devastating strikes that caused major civilian casualties, including near refugee camps and aid facilities, and after an escalation in rhetoric and action between Israel and Hezbollah. The assertions that the shadow foreign minister has made about what was said in that meeting are not correct. Whilst others may wish to make these discussions public—that's a matter for them—we have not. What I would say to you is that what we say in the room is the same as that which we say outside, and that is that we do not want to see the conflict spreading to other parts of the region, including Lebanon. If this conflict spreads through the region, it will be devastating for thousands and thousands and thousands of civilians in Israel and Lebanon, as well as in the West Bank and Gaza, and for the thousands of Australians who are in Lebanon and in the region. The senator and his party may think that it is a responsible thing to do to champion more conflict. We do not think so. We think the responsible thing to do is to champion peace. The other point I would make is that I and the others on this side act and speak on behalf of Australia and not for any other country. Australians, as I said, want peace, not more conflict and not more civilian deaths. What we see in this debate—and it has been going on for a while—is a desire from the Greens and from Senator Henderson and others on that side for absolutism. That's what they want: absolutism. And absolutism in politics and in conflict leads to more conflict. We want— Senator McKenzie: You have to pick a side. Senator WONG: I'll take that interjection: 'You have to pick a side.' That says everything you want to know about what the coalition is seeking to do—and, if I may say, the Greens. You want this to be about sides, not about peace. Honourable senators interjecting— Senator WONG: It's a game, isn't it? It is a game to you. Senator McKenzie interjecting— Senator WONG: No-one here supports Hezbollah or Hamas. They are terrorist organisations. Senator McKenzie interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, Senator Birmingham was heard in silence. It's a difficult issue. I ask that the minister be heard in silence. Senator WONG: I take the interjection: 'You have to pick a side.' That says something, doesn't it? I am on the side of peace and a two-state solution that delivers peace and stability to the region, to Palestinians and Israelis alike. The absolutism from those opposite places no limit on civilian deaths. The absolutism from the Greens justifies the defacing of Mr Burns's office. That's where absolutism takes us. We on this side are for peace, not politics. We are for unity, not division— Senator Henderson: We do not stand with the terrorists. Senator WONG: I will take that interjection. The assertion that we stand with terrorists is a lie. You should withdraw it. You should withdraw it, and it demonstrates the disgraceful domestic politics that you are seeking to play with this. You are a disgrace. You are a disgrace. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Henderson, on a point of order. Senator Henderson: Personal reflection—point of order. The minister should immediately withdraw the reflection that she made on me. I made a comment: 'We do not stand with terrorists.' That does not say anything other than our position, and she should withdraw it. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Minister, I would just ask you to withdraw that the senator lied. Senator WONG: I heard, 'You stand with terrorists.' That's what I heard. If it was not the case— Senator Henderson interjecting— Senator WONG: Would you mind? I'm responding— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: It's not a debate, Senator Henderson. Allow the minister to respond. Senator WONG: I withdraw. No-one stands with terrorists in this place. No-one does. No-one does. Absolutism— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Henderson, is this a point of order? Senator Henderson: It's to clarify. The comment I made was, 'We do not stand with terrorists.' Senator Wong misheard me, and, on that basis, I would just ask her to withdraw the comment that she made. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Henderson, the minister has withdrawn. Please continue, Minister. Senator WONG: Senator Henderson is so keen to have a political fight on this catastrophic conflict that she doesn't even listen. Can everyone on that side stop playing domestic politics with this war? I think Australians want that. They don't want the conflict brought here. They don't want the conflict brought here by you, by the Greens or by the sorts of violent protests we have seen. They do not want that. The amendment I will move adds—I'll read this, and people can tell me which bit of this they disagree with. After the motion moved by Senator Birmingham, the amendment will add the following: 'notes that it is not in the interests of Israelis, Palestinians or any others in the Middle East to see the conflict broaden; calls on all parties to exercise restraint; supports efforts to press all parties to the conflict in Gaza to agree to the ceasefire proposal; and endorses the government's position to support recognition of the state of Palestine as part of a peace process in support of a two-state solution and a just and enduring peace'. I think that actually represents where the majority of Australians are. It represents what people are seeking. The problem is that this will probably be voted down because the Greens cannot bear to vote for something that says 'two-state' and those opposite cannot bear to vote for something that says 'recognition'. That is the absolutism on display here today and in this debate constantly. It is irresponsible and it is wrong. The only party that is demonstrating consistency and maturity on this is the Australian Labor Party. I appreciate that at times it is hard, because it is easy to be absolutist. It is easy to speak to people's fear. It is easy to promote division. But that is not Labor's way, and we will not do that. I move: At the end of the motion, add ", and the Senate: (a) notes that it is not in the interests of Israelis, Palestinians or any others in the Middle East to see the conflict broaden; (b) calls on all parties to exercise restraint; (c) supports efforts to press all parties to the conflict in Gaza to agree to the ceasefire proposal; and (d) endorses the Government's position to support the recognition of the State of Palestine as part of a peace process in support of a two-state solution and a just and enduring peace". I also move: That the question be now put. Senator Birmingham: On a point of order, I had foreshadowed an amendment to the government amendment, and I seek clarity as to whether the minister's motion will prevent such an amendment being moved. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: It will be up to the Senate to decide whether the question is put. If the Senate decides that the question will be put, then you will be denied the opportunity to put a further amendment. The PRESIDENT: The question is that the closure motion as moved by Senator Wong be agreed to.