Red Lines Package Omnibus Bill 2026

Mr WILKIE (Clark) (10:45): I second the Red Lines Package Omnibus Bill 2026, introduced by the member for Mackellar, and I acknowledge everyone who helped make it a reality. Australia has often had an outsized influence in creating and preserving international law. For instance, we were front and centre during the establishment of the United Nations, the peaceful scientific settlement in the Antarctic, the end of apartheid in South Africa and independence for East Timor.

This reflected a nation with both integrity and a clear understanding of what was in our national interest. To those ends, this bill gives Australia another opportunity to reaffirm our leadership and to meet our legal and moral obligation not to fund, arm or invest in illegal settlements, war crimes or genocide. In times of growing global uncertainty, it matters more than ever that responsible middle powers like Australia uphold the rule of law and reinforce the principles of international justice and accountability.

Remember, these principles protect us here in Australia and billions of people around the world. In other words, when we fail to work with others to uphold international law, we help erode the very foundations of peace and security that have served Australia so well for so long. I'm clear-eyed about the flaws in the international rules based order and the criticism it faces for differential application and enforcement.

Indeed, we've seen three years of genocide in Gaza, 12 years of illegal Russian aggression in Ukraine and six years of ruthless US exceptionalism under the Trump administration. But those failures aren't reason to abandon our support for international law; they're reasons to demonstrate consistency and to work harder with other nations to strengthen its principles and application both at home and abroad.

To that end, this bill addresses Australia's trade and commerce associated with illegally occupied territories. It addresses the grave international crime of genocide, and it addresses Australia's defence trade obligations to ensure we stop supporting genocide, war crimes or other serious violations of international law. Taken together, these measures ensure Australia does not fund, arm or invest in conduct that violates the very principles of international law we have long championed.

In doing so, the red lines package gives practical effect to Australia's commitment to accountability, human dignity and the rule of law. The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Buchholz ): The time allocated for this debate has expired. The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.