The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) is disappointed that Labor delegates were denied the opportunity to debate the stronger amendments proposed by Federal MP Ed Husic, including measures aimed at strengthening Australia’s response to Israel’s violations of international law. Preventing debate on one of the defining human rights issues of our time was a missed opportunity for the Party to fully confront Australia’s responsibilities.
At the same time, APAN acknowledges the years of advocacy by Palestinians, civil society and many within the Labour movement to deliver a National Platform adopted by Conference that contains stronger language on Israel and Palestine. The Platform more clearly recognises the illegality of settlements, the importance of international law and accountability, and the need for meaningful action in support of Palestinian rights.
But words alone will not stop a genocide.
As delegates return home, Palestinians remain under bombardment, forced displacement and starvation. The question is no longer what Labor says in its Platform, but what the Albanese Government is prepared to do.
APAN President Nasser Mashni said:
“We welcome the fact that our advocacy is working and that Labor’s Platform has continued to move towards a stronger commitment to Palestinian rights. But this Conference has also shown there remains reluctance to have the full conversation that this moment demands.”
“The Labor party extolls the virtue of a party with a “place for everyone to participate, safely and respectfully”. This conference fell short of that promise. Rather than allowing a place for everyone to participate, backroom dealings produced a compromised outcome”
“Genocide must be the red line. By avoiding debate, Labor risks losing the trust of its own base, and ceding more ground to One Nation and others. Managing dissent rather than engaging with it, is not leadership.”
“With the latest Pew Research showing that 79% of Australians have an unfavourable view of Israel, rising to 87% for 18-34 year olds, our Prime Minister has the political capital and the electoral support to take a global lead on justice for the Palestinians. It’s time he did.
“Ed Husic’s amendments may not have reached the conference floor, but the issues they raised have not gone away. The Australian Government must now demonstrate that Labor’s commitment to international law extends beyond conference resolutions and into government action.”
APAN is calling on the Albanese Government to immediately:
- End defence exports, military cooperation and supply chain arrangements that risk contributing to war crimes or genocide.
- Increase transparency and parliamentary oversight of Australia’s defence trade and military cooperation.
- Impose meaningful sanctions on those responsible for serious violations of international law, including those driving the illegal settlement enterprise.
- End Australian trade and investment that supports Israel’s illegal settlements, including divesting Future Fund investments linked to companies profiting from the occupation.
- Investigate Australians suspected of involvement in war crimes or other international crimes, including those who have served with the Israeli military where there are credible allegations of criminal conduct.
- Continue supporting international accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, and ensure Australia fully complies with its obligations under international law.
ENDS