Albanese’s missed chance at moral leadership

August 18, 2025

Prime Minister Albanese’s recognition of Palestine is an important step, but it has come far later than it should have. Albanese has long been on the record as supporting Palestinian rights, co-founding the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine in 1998 and acknowledging that peace depends on a two-state solution. Yet when he became prime minister, that conviction gave way to caution.

For many months of the Gaza war, as civilian deaths mounted and hospitals were destroyed, his government argued that the “right conditions” were not yet in place. Those conditions, tragically, never appeared. Instead, the world watched as children in Gaza began to suffer from hunger and disease under a blockade that prevented food and medicine from reaching them. Only when the humanitarian crisis became undeniable, and when global partners like France, Spain and Ireland had already acted, did Australia move.

Recognition of Palestine is consistent with Labor’s long-held ambition and is the right course. But, regrettably, it took such immense suffering to bring about this decision. Now that recognition has been announced, the government should use Australia’s voice to press for justice, humanitarian relief, and a genuine path to peace.