The Hon. SHAOQUETT MOSELMANE (22:19): In my final adjournment speech, I take great pride in speaking on justice for the Palestinian people. I am honoured that I have been in a small way a part of NSW Labor and national Labor conferences that have over the years called on Labor in government to recognise the State of Palestine. The most recent unanimous reaffirmation of Labor's support was at the 2021 national conference, which enshrined it in the party's policy platform. The motion called for a Federal Labor Government to recognise Palestine as a State and to support United Nations Security Council Resolution 1397, which was adopted in 2002.

I look forward to a further reaffirmation of that position passing at our upcoming NSW Labor conference next month and to the Albanese Labor Government to make good on Labor's promise to the Arab Australian community sooner rather than later. Since the partition of Palestine in 1948, many in Labor have supported the recognition of Palestine established on the principle of a permanent two-State solution based on the 1967 borders as the realisation of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. Australia's 1948 historic position was put by then foreign Minister Dr H. V. Evatt, as chairman of the UN Special Committee on Palestine, who authorised the partition of Palestine into two States. Upon the basis of that decision, the State of Israel was created.

Whitlam's 1972 policy on Palestine was even‑handed. It built upon Dr Evatt's 1948 two-State solution. This was followed by the Hawke Government's 1983 acknowledgement of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. Soon after was the Keating Government's continued support for the basic principle of a two-State solution, a position re-endorsed by the Rudd and Gillard Labor governments. However, it was with the Rudd and Gillard governments that Labor in government began to take that extra step in balancing Labor's positive position vis-a-vis Palestine, specifically under the Carr foreign ministry. In the campaign for recognition for Palestine, Prime Minister Rudd told the ABC RadioPM program:

… the time has come for Australia to join countries like Sweden and the Holy See in formally recognising the Palestinian State. It is time for Australia to draw a line in the sand on this matter, as 137 States already have.

The late former Prime Minister Bob Hawke also joined Kevin Rudd, Gareth Evans and Bob Carr in calling on Australia to recognise Palestine as a State. In a 2017Financial Review opinion piece, Hawke called on the Australian Government to recognise the State of Palestine:

Australia was there at the very beginning. The least we can do now, in these most challenging of times, is to do what 137 other nations have already done—grant diplomatic recognition to the State of Palestine.

This significant call to recognise Palestine was echoed in a landmark speech by the Hon. Bob Carr on 30 July 2017 at the NSW Labor State conference, by driving home the point that it is time to recognise Palestine. Australia must act now, before Israel gobbles up the remaining Palestinian territories. It may be too late, given the rate of settlements taking place on Palestinian land.

I am proud to be a member of a party that supports peace and justice for the Palestinian people. The recognition of a Palestinian State is also a rebuke to those who continue to cover up Israel's apartheid practices, its human rights abuses, its ongoing illegal occupation of Palestinian land, its ongoing hostilities and the subjugation of the Palestinian people, the illegal settlements as well as the blockade of the Gaza Strip, the collective punishment, the ever-deepening humanitarian crises and the daily suffering of the Palestinian people. I am proud to have been part of this journey in support of justice for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, an indigenous people who have never ceded rights to their land. No matter the oppression, no matter the subjugation, no matter the occupation, no matter the dehumanisation or the attempted eradication of Palestinian culture and rights, justice will prevail and Palestine will be once again.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (The Hon. Wes Fang): The question is that this House do now adjourn.

Motion agreed to.

The House adjourned at 22:23 until Tuesday 11 October 2022 at 14:30.

Thought harmonizes with reality in the depth of logic,It identifies with the inductive system in various matters….

It (logic) imposes axioms a way from the stupidity of tragedy and it protects the mind from falling into error and contradiction.

 How Wonderful are the virtues of logic in freedom from error and refutation of lies!

Man does not ascend (the speaking animal)unless he has a unique logic and open mind…

It is my pleasure to once again address you at this home of literature, poetry and culture, and this time, it is about a brilliant book by May Tabbah “Charbel Baini:  A poem which has been sung by poems”

Author May Tabbah, a scholar, who comes from a distinguished background of intellects, has been a leading light and a driving force in the promotion of Arab literature and just causes, at various capacities.  She is known for her vision, openness and brave views, in addition to her strong advocacy of the women movement.

In this book, May Tabbah sheds light on the life of poet Charbel Baini in a unique way, as she takes the reader on a fascinating journey. She begins with drawing attention to a young rebellious Charbel Baini, whose spirited thoughts are deemed as the main instigator for his probably self proclaimed exile, which came to the fore, despite his unmeasurable admiration for his motherland. 

May notes that Baini’s uprising against old customized ideas became evident in his initial book “Murahika”  in which he caused significant controversy, that did not win him at the time many “daring” friends. However, Baini managed to escape the shackles of social restrictions and succeeded in establishing his poetry as a platform from which he launched an amazing school of free line of rousing thoughts and inspiring ideas. And thus, Baini won the battle of freedom, not just from external intolerance, but also from internal fear.

May also analyses in depth Baini’s poetry methods and style, reviewing how his poems tend to tackle various patriotic, social and emotional issues, and how each poem touches the soul and senses of fascinated readers and listeners alike. 

She underlines how Baini nurtured the love for Lebanon he brought with him, and how he turned it into a scope of endless colourful images that reflect a faultless foray of human warmth, by which he was able to dissolve the frosty existence of the Ghorbi, and from which he recreated a version of his old native home, not just for himself, but rather for far too many people, who are onboard the same rollercoaster of emotions as he is.

There is no doubt that May Tabbah excels in summarising the values detected and often felt in Charbel Baini’s poetry. These values consist of freedom, equality, courage, human rights, love for the people and for the motherland, as well as for fairness and harmony.

In conclusion, May refers to the long list of poets, who sang Charbel Baini’s praises, selecting a few poems that express what lovers of poetry have experienced and felt when interacting with his motivating poems.

Congratulations to author May Tabbah on an exceptionally valuable book, which will certainly enrich the Arabic library.

Congratulations also on being awarded the Charbel Baini Medal for 2022, wishing you, estaz Charbel Baini and Dr Ali Bazzi all of the very best in your future endeavours.

Thanks so much for listening

**

 Australians have resoundingly rejected Morrison’s conservative forces and elected a caring Albanese Labor government. It’s now time to vote out a tired, incompetent Perrottet government and elect a community oriented Labor government in NSW.

To continue to strengthen Labor’s multicultural community links, I need your support to help in my ALP preselection for the March 2023 state election.

The time is here for the Kfarsaroun Charity Association Fundraising Event.

As you are all aware we haven’t been able to hold our functions for the last two years due to the pandemic. Having said that, our work is never done and we would like to continue to help the people of Kfarsaroun. 

This time around our fund raising will be different. As a charity we have collectively decided to send much needed supplies, via shipping container, to Kfarsaroun. These supplies include (but not limited to) medications, powdered milk, long life foods etc. 

We have been in contact with many people from Kfarsaroun and they are in desperate need of these items. The situation in Lebanon is extremely difficulty right now and people don’t have access to the essential items required day to day. 

As President and as committee members we would like to ask for your kind donations regarding this cause. Any amount that you can donate will go along way to assisting us with this container. 

Since the charities incorporation of 1975, we have never asked for any donations, all previous monies raised in the history of the Association have always come from our annual fundraiser. The charity is committed to assisting the people of Kfarsaroun and this container will go a long way in supplying many villagers with the essentials they need to survive.  

The Bank Account Details are as follows:

Arab Bank

BSB               917111

ACCOUNT  700043890

Please also insert name which the donation is on behalf, as a reference number.

No donation is too big or too small, the Kfarsaroun Charity Association sincerely thanks you in advance for your kindness.

If you have any questions relation to this fundraiser please contact either of the following people.  

Elias Nassif

Kfarsaroun Charity President   0425 230 649

Samia Elias                  0433 773 779

Secretary 

John Ashak                  0414 799 049

Treasurer                                            

 The sighs of my heart resound with the depth of the sensitive feeling ,and my feelings shine to the rhythm of transcendent hope….

My gaze swims in the sky of the existence to seek eternal wisdom in the mystery of life,and I plead with dignty on the slopes of will, so that I may enjoy the joy painted on the faces of my dreams…..