Delays in Australian Humanitarian and Medical Aid to Gaza

Question

1. Does the Australian Government maintain data or estimates regarding Australian-funded or Australian-donated humanitarian and medical aid currently delayed in Jordan or elsewhere awaiting approval for entry into Gaza? 2. What direct representations has the Australian Government made to Israeli authorities, including COGAT, regarding delays affecting Australian humanitarian and medical aid intended for civilians in Gaza? 3. Is the Minister aware that medical aid movements from Jordan into Gaza have been severely disrupted since March 2025, with a further major deterioration and effective halt affecting many consignments from around September 2025? 4. Is the Minister aware that approximately 820 wheelchairs for children in Gaza were donated to PANZMA (Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association) by two Australian charitable organisations, Kids on Wheels Alliance (NSW) and Wheelchairs for Kids Australia (WA), and that PANZMA subsequently coordinated delivery of these consignments to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) for onward transport into Gaza, where they remain delayed pending Israeli/COGAT approval processes? 5. Is the Minister aware that PANZMA, working in coordination with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), has been attempting to facilitate the delivery of these wheelchairs and other medical aid into Gaza for 15 months? 6. Given the urgent humanitarian needs of children with disabilities and severe injuries in Gaza, what specific actions will the Australian Government now take to advocate for the entry of these wheelchairs and other humanitarian medical supplies? 7. Has the Australian Government raised the specific issue of these wheelchair consignments directly with Israeli authorities or COGAT and, if so, what was the outcome of those discussions? 8. Minister Anne Aly has previously been briefed directly regarding these wheelchair consignments and has met with representatives involved in their coordination, including PANZMA and JHCO representatives. What further actions will the Government now take to escalate this matter and secure approval for their entry into Gaza? 9. Will the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade engage directly with Israeli authorities, including COGAT where appropriate, to seek urgent clearance and facilitation of these Australian-donated wheelchairs currently awaiting approval in Jordan? 10. Has the Australian Government considered raising this matter at Prime Ministerial or senior diplomatic level, given these are humanitarian medical items donated by Australian charities for children with severe disabilities and injuries in Gaza? 11. Does the Government consider delays of more than 7-15 months for essential mobility aids for children in a conflict zone to be acceptable from a humanitarian perspective? 12. Will the Government provide a formal update to the donating organisations, PANZMA, Kids on Wheels Alliance, and Wheelchairs for Kids Australia, regarding actions taken and any progress toward clearance and delivery of these wheelchairs into Gaza?

Answer

Please see attached answer

Documents

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