Cambodia’s weekend elections are a ‘sham’ and an indictment of the corrupt Hun Sen regime, the Australian Greens said today, calling on the Turnbull Government to refuse to recognise the anti-democratic and bogus results.

“Cambodia’s election yesterday was a complete sham. Hun Sen has been systematically dismantling independent voices and political opposition in Cambodia. An election is completely illegitimate when you throw the Leader of the Opposition in jail and dissolve his party," Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale said.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale today expressed deep concern at reports that the vessel Al Awda – part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla coalition’s boat – was detained by the Israeli Navy in international waters late last night.

“I understand that the vessel and the crew, including Australian journalist Chris Graham, were intercepted in international waters, and that they have been towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod," Di Natale said.

Leader of the Australian Greens Richard Di Natale has today condemned reports Australia may be providing assistance to the United States in preparation for an attack on Iran.

“Under no circumstances can Australia be dragged into more bloodshed in the Middle East just to please the United States,” Dr Richard Di Natale said.

“If Trump attacks Iran, we risk seeing a repeat of the Iraq War catastrophe that saw the senseless killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent people, destabilised an entire region and has only resulted in further conflict.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (15:45): I, and also on behalf of Senator Moore, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

   (i) over 260 million people across the globe, including around 210 million Dalits in South Asia, face Discrimination based on Work and Descent including caste and untouchability (DWD),

   (ii) as well as South Asia, significant communities also live in Japan (Burakumin), Africa, Latin America (Quilombo) and Europe (Romani),

Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale today condemned the Israeli military’s killing of more than 50 Palestinians upon the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. 

“The Australian Greens condemn in the strongest possible terms this latest example of the Israeli military’s excessive use of force,” Senator Di Natale said.

“Yesterday marked the deadliest day in Gaza since the 2014 war, with more than 50 Palestinians killed.

The Australian Greens today expressed grave concern over the decision of the US, UK and French Governments to launch strikes against targets in Syria. Greens Leader Senator Richard Di Natale reiterated the Greens' call for the Australian Government to rethink the US alliance. 
 
“The violence and suffering in Syria is appalling, and the use of chemical weapons is an abomination," Senator Di Natale said. 

"But we don’t need a barrage of missiles. This action risks dangerous escalation in a very complex and volatile war.

Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale today called on the Australian Government to break its silence over the killing of 17 Palestinians late last week by the Israeli military.

“The vast majority of those participating in the March of Return to mark Land Day were protesting non-violently. The use of live fire and lethal force was clearly disproportionate and very likely illegal,” Dr Di Natale said.