Middle East motion to be moved by Danby and Plibersek

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Labor Member for Melbourne Ports Michael Danby and Opposition Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Tanya Plibersek will move a motion in Parliament on Monday questioning the Australian Government’s strategy and response to the crisis in Syria and Iraq.

This motion is made more urgent by reports that Iran tested ballistic missiles in defiance of UN sanctions, and the apparent decision by Iraq to participate in an Iran-led alliance in Syria. The motion will be moved and debated on Monday.

Michael Danby in parliament

Mr Danby has been running an advertising and billboard campaign against the Turnbull/Bishop Government’s proposal to reward Iran by allowing it to set up consulates in Sydney and Melbourne.

Danby’s billboard message

Mr Danby has also tabled a more detailed motion, requesting a Parliamentary debate about specific aspects of the Foreign Minister’s changing policy, including the nature and rationale of the Foreign Minister’s proposed intelligence sharing agreement with Iran, the change in the Government’s policy in regards to the removal of Syrian President Assad, the statement by the Foreign Minister that Russian involvement in Syria is “positive” and, particularly, the apparent decision by the Foreign Minister to invite Iran to establish consulates in Sydney and Melbourne.

Mr Danby said, “For several months I have been calling for Ms Bishop to tell Parliament and the Australian people why she has made such an about-face in regards to Iran, especially given her position on Iran just three years ago. I am delighted that my senior Parliamentary colleagues share my concerns and will move and speak to this motion.”

Tanya Plibersek

“Iran has used its diplomatic network to help Hezbollah carry out terrorist attacks in South America, Europe and Asia”, Mr Danby continued. “Interpol has even issued arrest warrants for senior Iranian officials in regards to these crimes. I do not want Australian citizens put at risk of Iranian-sponsored terrorism in Australia because of Ms Bishop’s short-sightedness.”

Mr Danby’s detailed motion also calls on the Government to abandon its training of Iraqi army units should evidence emerge of Iranian–Iraqi cooperation in Syria. Instead, the Australian military should be redirected to non-PKK Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq.

“The Kurds are the only locals who want to, and do, fight the Islamist rapists, crucifiers and vandals of Daesh”, said Mr Danby. “If we really care about civilian deaths and refugee flights we should also negotiate a no-fly zone and a humanitarian corridor in north-west Syria. Thus the West might stop Assad from dropping his barrel bombs on civilian cities in that area. That would be worth talking to the Russians with their new air force presence.”