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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/oct/16/scott-morrison-israel-embassy-wentworth-politics-live
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| Mathias Cormann blames 'administrative error' for 'it's OK to be white' vote – politics live | Mathias Cormann blames 'administrative error' for 'it's OK to be white' vote – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Just back to that explanation from Christian Porter: | |
| It appears that, of the very large number of motions on which my office’s views are routinely sought, this one was not escalated to me because it was interpreted in my office as a motion opposing racism. The associations of the language were not picked up. Had it been raised directly with me those issues would have been identified.” | |
| So just to be clear, apparently a staffer misinterpreted a motion put forward by One Nation as opposing racism. From One Nation. Whose leader wore a burqa into the Senate. | |
| This “discussion” Scott Morrison wants to start about the Australian embassy position in Israel is most definitely not being greeted ‘warmly’ by all sectors. | |
| Katharine Murphy and Guardian staff report: | |
| Bishop George Browning, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, was horrified. “I find the announcement extraordinary because it must be the first time in Australian political life that a government has tried to shore up its chances in a byelection by using foreign policy. | |
| “The previous prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and the previous foreign minister Julie Bishop resisted this for the very good reason that to move the embassy to Jerusalem is [the same] as agreeing with the Israeli prime minister that Jerusalem is the undivided capital of Israel. | |
| “They’re immediately throwing out the policy of a two-state solution, which Australia has held for a very long time, decades, in order to shore up their chances in a local byelection. It’s disgraceful.” | |
| And now this: | |
| BREAKING: the Palestinian delegation to Australia says 15 Middle Eastern embassies are likely to hold an emergency meeting today to discuss PM Morrison’s comments on Jerusalem. Story soon @australian | |
| Everything is going very, very well. | |
| Queensland is attempting to remove abortion from its criminal code this week. | |
| Ben Smee wrote about just how long it has taken to get to this point, here. | |
| If you want to see where your state stands on abortion, the Conversation has written an explainer, here. | |
| Of all the issues at the heart of failed past peace efforts, none have been as sensitive as the status of Jerusalem and so many states have sought not to show favour to one side or the other. Israel captured the eastern side of the city in 1967, and later annexed those neighbourhoods where thousands of Palestinians live. | Of all the issues at the heart of failed past peace efforts, none have been as sensitive as the status of Jerusalem and so many states have sought not to show favour to one side or the other. Israel captured the eastern side of the city in 1967, and later annexed those neighbourhoods where thousands of Palestinians live. |
| If Scott Morrison goes ahead with the embassy move, it will put him at odds with close allies in Europe on the issue. While the prime minister said it was a “sensible” idea that Australia could move its embassy and also work towards a two-state solution, that thinking goes against international consensus. | If Scott Morrison goes ahead with the embassy move, it will put him at odds with close allies in Europe on the issue. While the prime minister said it was a “sensible” idea that Australia could move its embassy and also work towards a two-state solution, that thinking goes against international consensus. |
| Following Trump’s embassy announcement, Theresa May, the UK prime minister, said it was “unhelpful” towards Britain’s goal for a share capital for the Israeli and Palestinian states. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, was more blunt, saying the move was a “threat to peace”. | |
| Christian Porter has issued this statement – it all happened without his knowledge. | Christian Porter has issued this statement – it all happened without his knowledge. |
| So apparently administrative error is now code for rogue staffer? | So apparently administrative error is now code for rogue staffer? |
| An early email advising an approach on the motion went out from my office on this matter without my knowledge. | An early email advising an approach on the motion went out from my office on this matter without my knowledge. |
| It appears that, of the very large number of motions on which my office’s views are routinely sought, this one was not escalated to me because it was interpreted in my office as a motion opposing racism. The associations of the language were not picked up. Had it been raised directly with me those issues would have been identified. | It appears that, of the very large number of motions on which my office’s views are routinely sought, this one was not escalated to me because it was interpreted in my office as a motion opposing racism. The associations of the language were not picked up. Had it been raised directly with me those issues would have been identified. |
| As Minister Cormann said this morning this was the result of an administrative error, including on the part of my office. | As Minister Cormann said this morning this was the result of an administrative error, including on the part of my office. |
| Naturally I’m reviewing the processes in my office to prevent such an administrative error in the future. Having been part of an error that put Senator Ruston in a very difficult position a tweet from my office condemning all forms of racism was meant as nothing more than support for that same proposition which Senator Ruston, despite being placed in a difficult position, put in the Senate that the Government condemns all forms of racism.” | Naturally I’m reviewing the processes in my office to prevent such an administrative error in the future. Having been part of an error that put Senator Ruston in a very difficult position a tweet from my office condemning all forms of racism was meant as nothing more than support for that same proposition which Senator Ruston, despite being placed in a difficult position, put in the Senate that the Government condemns all forms of racism.” |
| The Executive Council of Australian Jewry is also very happy today. From its statement: | The Executive Council of Australian Jewry is also very happy today. From its statement: |
| The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the peak representative body of the Australian Jewish community, warmly welcomes the announcements by Prime Minister Morrison regarding the status of Jerusalem, the Iran Deal and the Palestinian bid to chair a United Nations group, the G77. | The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the peak representative body of the Australian Jewish community, warmly welcomes the announcements by Prime Minister Morrison regarding the status of Jerusalem, the Iran Deal and the Palestinian bid to chair a United Nations group, the G77. |
| It has long been the position of the ECAJ that Australia should recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and consider relocating the Australian embassy, currently in Tel Aviv, to the government precinct in west Jerusalem. | It has long been the position of the ECAJ that Australia should recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and consider relocating the Australian embassy, currently in Tel Aviv, to the government precinct in west Jerusalem. |
| Every State has the right to determine where within its sovereign territory its capital should be located. Jerusalem was the capital of the Jewish state 3,000 years ago and it remains so today. | Every State has the right to determine where within its sovereign territory its capital should be located. Jerusalem was the capital of the Jewish state 3,000 years ago and it remains so today. |
| Recognising this simple fact would in no way preclude a future agreement between Israel and the Palestinians and we welcome the Prime Minister’s affirmation of support for a two-state solution to the conflict. | Recognising this simple fact would in no way preclude a future agreement between Israel and the Palestinians and we welcome the Prime Minister’s affirmation of support for a two-state solution to the conflict. |
| The ECAJ also supported the decision of the Trump Administration to withdraw from the JCPOA (“Iran Deal”), which did nothing to curb Iran’s aggression or regional designs. | The ECAJ also supported the decision of the Trump Administration to withdraw from the JCPOA (“Iran Deal”), which did nothing to curb Iran’s aggression or regional designs. |
| We favour the imposition of sanctions on the Iranian regime until such time as a comprehensive deal can be agreed that prevents Iran from acting as the world’s foremost sponsor of terrorism, and fuelling devastating conflict in Syria, Yemen, and well beyond the Middle East. | We favour the imposition of sanctions on the Iranian regime until such time as a comprehensive deal can be agreed that prevents Iran from acting as the world’s foremost sponsor of terrorism, and fuelling devastating conflict in Syria, Yemen, and well beyond the Middle East. |
| We also support the decision of the government to oppose the Palestinian bid to chair the United Nations group, the G77. | We also support the decision of the government to oppose the Palestinian bid to chair the United Nations group, the G77. |
| For decades, the Palestinians have manipulated international bodies, not least the UN, to advance their agenda of seeking to isolate and delegitimise the State of Israel. Theresult has been to permanently mire the UN in the conflict, at the expense of its credibility, while also limiting its ability to support genuinely oppressed peoples throughout the world. | For decades, the Palestinians have manipulated international bodies, not least the UN, to advance their agenda of seeking to isolate and delegitimise the State of Israel. Theresult has been to permanently mire the UN in the conflict, at the expense of its credibility, while also limiting its ability to support genuinely oppressed peoples throughout the world. |
| We have seen outrageous resolutions from “Zionism is racism” to denials of the Jewishness of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. | We have seen outrageous resolutions from “Zionism is racism” to denials of the Jewishness of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. |
| The Palestinians must not be rewarded for this and must instead be shown that the path to peace lies only through honest negotiations with Israel. | The Palestinians must not be rewarded for this and must instead be shown that the path to peace lies only through honest negotiations with Israel. |
| We thank the Prime Minister on behalf of the community we represent for his moral clarity on these issues. | We thank the Prime Minister on behalf of the community we represent for his moral clarity on these issues. |
| But Pauline Hanson is happy: | But Pauline Hanson is happy: |
| Looks like Scott Morrison is suffering from a bad case of it's okay to be white guilt. -PHhttps://t.co/TSxTWmFYnh | Looks like Scott Morrison is suffering from a bad case of it's okay to be white guilt. -PHhttps://t.co/TSxTWmFYnh |
| Anne Aly is also sure of why Scott Morrison has chosen now to raise the proposal of moving the embassy: | Anne Aly is also sure of why Scott Morrison has chosen now to raise the proposal of moving the embassy: |
| It’s very evident, today’s announcement, that the government is even considering a major foreign policy decision on the basis of the Wentworth byelection, in order to win a byelection – this is unprecedented, unheard of that a foreign policy decision that could affect a peace process in one of the most fragile regions in the world would be considered just so that this government can win the Wentworth byelection. Just goes to show how desperate they are and how out of touch they are.” | It’s very evident, today’s announcement, that the government is even considering a major foreign policy decision on the basis of the Wentworth byelection, in order to win a byelection – this is unprecedented, unheard of that a foreign policy decision that could affect a peace process in one of the most fragile regions in the world would be considered just so that this government can win the Wentworth byelection. Just goes to show how desperate they are and how out of touch they are.” |
| The prime minister has denied this and says he is only listening to Dave Sharma, his candidate in Wentworth, as the former ambassador to Israel, and because the UN was going to vote on Palestine leading the 2019 G77 developing nations group tomorrow (to which Australia will vote no) and it got him thinking about Australia’s positions on other things. | The prime minister has denied this and says he is only listening to Dave Sharma, his candidate in Wentworth, as the former ambassador to Israel, and because the UN was going to vote on Palestine leading the 2019 G77 developing nations group tomorrow (to which Australia will vote no) and it got him thinking about Australia’s positions on other things. |
| Sure. | Sure. |
| Penny Wong says Labor is against moving Australia’s embassy in Israel, and here’s why: | Penny Wong says Labor is against moving Australia’s embassy in Israel, and here’s why: |
| I’d refer you to what Scott Morrison, Malcolm Turnbull, Julie Bishop and the secretary of DFAT have said prior to this time, which is this; it is unhelpful to the peace process. | I’d refer you to what Scott Morrison, Malcolm Turnbull, Julie Bishop and the secretary of DFAT have said prior to this time, which is this; it is unhelpful to the peace process. |
| The reality is Jerusalem is contested territory. Its status has to be resolved as part of any peace process discussion, as part of any discussion about a two-state solution. The fact that this has been a bipartisan position I think demonstrates the lack of wisdom in Mr Morrison floating this. | The reality is Jerusalem is contested territory. Its status has to be resolved as part of any peace process discussion, as part of any discussion about a two-state solution. The fact that this has been a bipartisan position I think demonstrates the lack of wisdom in Mr Morrison floating this. |
| I think that is very important. He’s not actually saying he will do it, he just wants to float something ahead of a byelection.” | I think that is very important. He’s not actually saying he will do it, he just wants to float something ahead of a byelection.” |
| So what happened in the chamber? | So what happened in the chamber? |
| Well, you can watch the vote here. You may notice government senators looking over their voting sheets. And checking it twice. | Well, you can watch the vote here. You may notice government senators looking over their voting sheets. And checking it twice. |
| You may also notice Labor yelling “really? really?” as voters moved into position. | You may also notice Labor yelling “really? really?” as voters moved into position. |
| Our Senate watchers tell us that opposition senators advised government senators to double check the voting advice was correct. | Our Senate watchers tell us that opposition senators advised government senators to double check the voting advice was correct. |
| But in the end, they did what the sheet said. Then tweeted why they did it. And now, at least in one case, deleted those tweets, just as the leader of government business in the Senate admitted it was “an administrative error”. | But in the end, they did what the sheet said. Then tweeted why they did it. And now, at least in one case, deleted those tweets, just as the leader of government business in the Senate admitted it was “an administrative error”. |
| No need to stress anyone, the adults are absolutely in charge and they all got there on merit. | No need to stress anyone, the adults are absolutely in charge and they all got there on merit. |
| Lucy Gichuhi has just deleted her tweet. (More accurately, deleted it 16 minutes ago, according to this.) | Lucy Gichuhi has just deleted her tweet. (More accurately, deleted it 16 minutes ago, according to this.) |
| For the record, it said this: | For the record, it said this: |
| I say no to white supremacy I say no to black supremacy But I say yes to HUMAN supremacy Today, the Government condemned all forms of Racism #auspol” | I say no to white supremacy I say no to black supremacy But I say yes to HUMAN supremacy Today, the Government condemned all forms of Racism #auspol” |
| There are so many first drafts of history these days. | There are so many first drafts of history these days. |
| So @MathiasCormann - if it was an administrative error by you, why did @cporterwa tweet this yesterday? Why did @Anne_Ruston use the same language in the Senate? pic.twitter.com/ZJBT5IqguX | So @MathiasCormann - if it was an administrative error by you, why did @cporterwa tweet this yesterday? Why did @Anne_Ruston use the same language in the Senate? pic.twitter.com/ZJBT5IqguX |
| Anne Ruston was absolutely right to make absolutely clear that the government condemns all forms of racism and of course @cporterwa was right to support Anne’s statement on behalf of Government senators, as did I. https://t.co/rANFf12tse | Anne Ruston was absolutely right to make absolutely clear that the government condemns all forms of racism and of course @cporterwa was right to support Anne’s statement on behalf of Government senators, as did I. https://t.co/rANFf12tse |
| A despatch from Israel, on Australia considering the relocation of its embassy: | A despatch from Israel, on Australia considering the relocation of its embassy: |
| News of the potential embassy move came in late on Monday evening in Jerusalem and is sure to make waves here this week. | News of the potential embassy move came in late on Monday evening in Jerusalem and is sure to make waves here this week. |
| Ever since Trump’s declaration in December last year, Israel has been pushing hard to persuade other countries to follow, hoping Washington would have smashed a decades-long taboo. | Ever since Trump’s declaration in December last year, Israel has been pushing hard to persuade other countries to follow, hoping Washington would have smashed a decades-long taboo. |
| For close to a year, that seemed unlikely as only Guatemala – a dependable Israel ally – and Paraguay made the announcement. And Paraguay reversed its decision last month after a change of president, prompting Israel to shutter its own embassy there in disappointment. | For close to a year, that seemed unlikely as only Guatemala – a dependable Israel ally – and Paraguay made the announcement. And Paraguay reversed its decision last month after a change of president, prompting Israel to shutter its own embassy there in disappointment. |
| Having the Australian prime minister even talking about the possibility of recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital will be seen as a huge step towards that goal. It will be held up as a win in Israel and derided by the Palestinian leadership, who see these embassy moves as a pivotal step away from their aspirations for a state and an end to the occupation. | Having the Australian prime minister even talking about the possibility of recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital will be seen as a huge step towards that goal. It will be held up as a win in Israel and derided by the Palestinian leadership, who see these embassy moves as a pivotal step away from their aspirations for a state and an end to the occupation. |
| Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has sought to court the Christian right, and evangelicals in particular, as many see Jerusalem being Israel’s capital as consistent with biblical prophecy of the second coming of Jesus and the Rapture. | Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has sought to court the Christian right, and evangelicals in particular, as many see Jerusalem being Israel’s capital as consistent with biblical prophecy of the second coming of Jesus and the Rapture. |
| Just to recap, we don’t know who was responsible for the “administrative error” which saw the government vote yes, when it meant to vote no, we don’t know why it happened, and we don’t know why government senators tweeted their reasons for voting in support when apparently they did not support it. | Just to recap, we don’t know who was responsible for the “administrative error” which saw the government vote yes, when it meant to vote no, we don’t know why it happened, and we don’t know why government senators tweeted their reasons for voting in support when apparently they did not support it. |
| Mathias Cormann: | Mathias Cormann: |
| “We made a decision to oppose that motion [in September] and to make a statement in our own words that as a government we deplore racism of any kind, but not to actually support the motion. | “We made a decision to oppose that motion [in September] and to make a statement in our own words that as a government we deplore racism of any kind, but not to actually support the motion. |
| Yesterday, as a result of an administrative process failure, the government senators in the chamber ended up on advice voting in support of the motion. | Yesterday, as a result of an administrative process failure, the government senators in the chamber ended up on advice voting in support of the motion. |
| As leader of the government in the Senate, I take responsibility for that error and I’m sorry that that happened. It is indeed regrettable. As I indicated when this motion first came up, we made a very clear decision to oppose that motion. It wasn’t voted on in September. It came back up yesterday and it slipped through. It shouldn’t have. And I take responsibility for that.” | As leader of the government in the Senate, I take responsibility for that error and I’m sorry that that happened. It is indeed regrettable. As I indicated when this motion first came up, we made a very clear decision to oppose that motion. It wasn’t voted on in September. It came back up yesterday and it slipped through. It shouldn’t have. And I take responsibility for that.” |
| Mathias Cormann doesn’t explain what the administrative process failure was. | Mathias Cormann doesn’t explain what the administrative process failure was. |
| He also doesn’t explain why a bunch of government senators tweeted about why they supported the motion, given it was apparently a complete and utter cock-up. | He also doesn’t explain why a bunch of government senators tweeted about why they supported the motion, given it was apparently a complete and utter cock-up. |
| Odd the government voted for the anti-white racism motion as the result of an "administrative error" when numerous senators then tweeted to explain their support for it #auspol pic.twitter.com/7QV5ZkY1AP | Odd the government voted for the anti-white racism motion as the result of an "administrative error" when numerous senators then tweeted to explain their support for it #auspol pic.twitter.com/7QV5ZkY1AP |