Senator LUDWIG (Special Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary) (9:35 AM) —Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

The PRESIDENT —Leave is granted for two minutes.

Senator LUDWIG —I thank the Senate. The government will not support this motion in its current form. As has been stated on previous occasions, the government objects to using formal motions to deal with complex international matters, particularly those involving other governments. This motion in its current form is unbalanced and fails to recognise Israel’s genuine security concerns. The motion is also outdated; the government’s latest advice is that the Israeli government has relaxed restrictions on a number of items listed in the motion. Australia has already made its views on the Gaza blockade clear with both the Australian public and the international community. We have consistently registered our deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We have called on a number of occasions for Gaza border controls to be eased for the purpose of the delivery of humanitarian supplies and aid. We have expressed this view in both the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Human Rights Council. Prime Minister Rudd has also expressed this view directly to Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. I thank the Senate.