QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Mr MARLES (Corio—Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence) (14:57): I thank the member for her question. The starting point would be to refer you to the answer that the Prime Minister gave earlier to the previous question during this question time. We have consistently made it clear that Israeli settlers in the occupied territories is a breach of international law, and that has been a position which has been consistently held by this government.

We have also consistently advocated that position to the Netanyahu government, as we have also advocated for the Netanyahu government to take a stronger position in respect of combating settler violence. We have made it clear, as you said in your question, that we believe that the settlements in the Palestinian territories represent a roadblock to peace and that a two-state solution is the only pathway to an enduring peace between Israelis and Palestinians, which is why supporting a two-state solution has been a bipartisan position of successive governments in this country.

Because of the positions that we have taken, we have put in place sanctions and bans in respect of those that have been participating in the settlements in the territories, and that has included Israeli ministers themselves. We will continue to look at further targeted measures, working collaboratively with our allies and partners around the world in respect of this issue.