Correcting a common mistake
There is a common misconception that Anthony Albanese established the Parliamentary Friendship group with Palestine. This is not true. He was one of the founding committee members.
I initiated the establishment of the group in 1999, following the parliamentary delegation I organised in 1998 that visited Palestine, Egypt, and Jordan. The delegation met with the Secretary General of the Arab League, government ministers, and President Arafat.
The delegation included the late Peter Nugent, then chairman of the Federal Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, from the Liberal party who led the delegation, Joe Hockey, Peter McGauran, Leo McLeay and Anthony Albanese.
I initiated a similar group a year earlier, in 1998, in the NSW parliament. Premier Bob Carr and Leader of Opposition Peter Collins were co-patrons of the group, which included members from all political parties.
This was followed by the establishment of friendship groups in the parliaments of Victoria, South Australia, and New Zealand.
Contributions to Pearls and Irritations
Your contribution will fund quality independent comment and analysis in Pearls and Irritations
Contribute
