Labor vs Payman on Palestine

July 5, 2024

Professor Hocking appears to argue that the position adopted by Senator Payman on recognition of Palestine was contrary to the policy of the Australian Labor Party.

In doing so she claims that the wording of Labor’s amendment to the Greens’ motion, “to recognise the state of Palestine ‘as part of a peace process in support of a two-state solution and a just and enduring peace’”, “replicated the party platform and therefore the caucus position”. The relevant portion of the 2023 ALP National Platform states:

“The National Conference: * Supports the recognition and right of Israel and Palestine to exist as two states within secure and recognised borders; * Calls on the Australian Government to recognise Palestine as a state; and * Expects that this issue will be an important priority for the Australian Government.”

That appears to me to be more consistent with the position adopted by Senator Payman and the Greens than with the ALP amendment.

It seems that Senator Payman has demonstrated the courage to be more faithful to ALP policy than the other timid ALP senators.