Question Time AU

Take Note Debate

Australian Defence Force

Senate · Tuesday 10 March 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Senator Mehreen Faruqi moved that the Senate take note of the Minister for Foreign Affairs' answer regarding the Australian Defence Force. Faruqi criticised the government for escalating military support for the United States and Israel, including refuelling spy planes and deploying troops. She argued that these actions contradicted the Labor Party's claim to be a party of peace and represented a failure to learn from previous conflicts. The motion was agreed to by the Senate.

Outcome

The question was agreed to.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW) (Australian Greens) Greens

Faruqi argued that the Prime Minister had escalated Australia's involvement in the conflict by moving from political support to direct military deployment. Faruqi contended that sending weapons and troops undermined claims of pursuing peace and instead contributed to violence and death. Faruqi stated that the government was selectively applying international law and failing to learn from past interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Faruqi characterised the government's actions as warmongering rather than peacemaking.