During Estimates hearings on Tuesday 23 July 2024, I asked the Premier whether he had ever advocated for an urgent and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
You can read my question and his full response below, or in the official Parliamentary record of proceedings (Hansard) here.
Mr BERKMAN: My question is to the Premier. Premier, you would be aware, I expect, that The Lancet, respected medical journal, has estimated that the death toll in Gaza since 7 October may be in excess of 186,000 people and that many of those deaths can be tied to weapons parts manufactured right here in Queensland. I am curious. In light of this, Premier, have you ever advocated for an urgent and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, including either publicly or internally, to your federal Labor colleagues?
Mrs McMAHON: Point of order, Chair: relevance to the appropriations.
CHAIR: Peripherally, there is a very broad context here, so I am calling the Premier. I will give you some latitude in the answer, Premier.
Mr MILES: Thank you, Chair. I thank the member for Maiwar for his question. It is a bit beyond the scope of the Queensland state budget, and certainly the situation in the Middle East is a bit above my pay grade. The member asks about personal conversations that I may or may not have had. I have always subscribed to what is broadly the Labor Party’s policy nationally, which is in support of a peaceful two-state solution and in support of peace more generally.