Speech NSW Labor State Conference 27th July 2024

Anne Stanley MP

Government Whip

Member for Werriwa

Delegates,

It is my extreme honour to follow such a wonderful speech but also put this motion to conference.

I do not approach this issue lightly.

Because of how important this is to me. Because of how important it is to so many in my community, and how important it is to every single one of us in this room.

But most importantly, because it carries the weight of the most important thing in the world: human life. Because every single life matters.

And because so many lives have already been taken away.

As many as 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7.

Workers have been killed. Journalists have been killed. Innocent civilians have been killed. Children have been killed. Our world is much poorer for their loss.

Those who have not died are struggling to survive in devastated homes.

Existing infrastructure has been crippled in the wake of a swathe of destruction. Food and water are scarce, sickness runs rampart.

The daily experience is a nightmare of famine, disease, war and death.

The horror that we have seen is unfathomable and condemnable.

The blocking of humanitarian assistance is unacceptable.

To forget the suffering we have borne witness to would be deplorable.

We must never forget. Not how this most recent conflict began, nor the countless tragedies that have led to this moment.

I mourn each and every one of them. I mourn the good and decent people who struggled for a peaceful future that they have didn’t live to see.

Instead, the present day is one ruled by fear and has been exploited by those who wish to maintain this status quo.

I acknowledge that this most horrific chapter is the latest in a seemingly never-ending story of violence and bloodshed in the region.

I believe that this cycle will not end until we resolve the perpetually unresolvable issue: the recognition of the Palestinian state. To realise the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.

The Netanyahu government must listen to the international community.

Palestinians cannot continue to pay the price.

There must be an immediate ceasefire.

Civilians must be protected.

Aid must get through.

There must be regulation of the two-state solution where people can live securely with international recognised borders.

Australia has already voted to increase the participation of Palestine at the United Nations.

We have voted for the cessation of hostilities. We have called for a ceasefire. We have called for humanitarian assistance.

We need and this conference needs to make our intentions crystal clear: the preservation of human life.

I’ve spoken with many in my community. I share their sadness, their anguish and their frustration. I see their pain and will always endeavour to act on their behalf, with their best interests in mind.

The best and only solution to stop the human sacrifice is the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state.

I recommend the motion to the conference.

The seventh celebration of the writer Dr. Jamil El- Douaihi’s “Project Diaspora” for great Literature in Sydney. Congratulation Dr Jamil