Israel

Simon Birmingham

I move again the amendment to the government amendment, as circulated in the chamber and as foreshadowed in my remarks:

That the government amendment be amended as follows:

At the end of the government's amendment add: ", once the following preconditions have been met:

i. recognition by Palestinian representatives and the Palestinian Authority of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state;

ii. that there is no role for Hamas in a future Palestinian state;

iii. reform of the Palestinian Authority is achieved, including major security and governance reforms;

iv. agreed processes to resolve final status issues including agreed state borders and rights of return; and

v. appropriate security guarantees between parties to ensure peace and security within recognised borders."

Sue Lines

Senator Wong?

Penny Wong

by leave—I have a point of order. The last vote was tied, and there was an incorrect count on the opposition side. We now have an additional senator, Senator Lambie, and Senator Pocock. It cannot be, therefore, that the vote is again tied, unless someone else has left. It's not arithmetically possible.

Sue Lines

I was in the hands of the tellers. They both checked their numbers. I'm in the hands of the chamber, but I would suggest that we give the tellers, Senator Urquhart and Senator Cadell, a moment to check their pairing sheets. Senator McKim?

Nick McKim

In concurrence with that, President, I wish to make a short contribution on the question before the chair, which might assist in allowing the tellers to consult over the matter that Senator Wong has raised.

Sue Lines

Sure.

Nick McKim

Do I have the call?

Sue Lines

Yes.

Nick McKim

As we always do, the Australian Greens call for peace and we call for all parties to exercise restraint. There is the horrific potential—

Sue Lines

Senator McKim, I thought you were assisting us to resolve the matter.

Nick McKim

I was.

Sue Lines

Well, you're not, because you're going into debate. Senator Urquhart is now, I think, going to explain what happened.

Anne Urquhart

by leave—Thank you, President. It was my error. I had Senator Wong in, but she was out, and she wasn't on my pair sheet. I would therefore ask that the vote be recommitted.

Sue Lines

Senator Urquhart has asked that the vote be recommitted. It is the convention of the Senate that votes are recommitted. Is leave granted to recommit?

Leave granted.

The question is that the closure motion, as moved by Senator Wong, be agreed to.