Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is laying the groundwork for what could be a landmark policy shift: Australia’s formal recognition of a Palestinian state. According to information obtained by 7.30, Mr. Albanese has been privately signalling to colleagues that this declaration must be timed carefully, as it would only be made once.
He is reportedly waiting for a moment that would meaningfully support progress towards a peaceful resolution between Israel and the Palestinians.
“What we’re assessing are the conditions under which recognition would truly advance the creation of two states,” Mr. Albanese said on Wednesday.
He reaffirmed his long-held stance: support for a two-state solution, including secure borders for Israel and recognition of the Palestinians’ legitimate right to statehood.
Momentum for recognising Palestinian statehood is growing among developed nations. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain intends to recognise Palestine by September—unless Israel demonstrates serious efforts to halt the conflict in Gaza and recommits to peace talks.
This declaration came shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron also pledged to formally recognise Palestine in the same timeframe. If implemented, the UK and France would become the first G7 and UN Security Council members to take such a step.
Malak Benslama-Dabdoub, a legal scholar from Royal Holloway University of London, described these developments as a shift away from the traditional Western approach—which has long tied recognition of Palestine to the outcome of final-status negotiations. She noted that the moves also reflect growing European frustration over continued violence in Gaza and two decades of stalled peace efforts.
Building Toward a Post-Conflict Future
Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday joined counterparts from 14 nations—including France, Canada, and New Zealand—in signing a joint declaration outlining a post-war vision for Gaza. The statement emphasized reconstruction efforts and the exclusion of Hamas from future Palestinian leadership.
The statement also highlighted assurances from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that any future Palestinian state would be demilitarised.
Following a conversation with Prime Minister Starmer, Mr. Albanese stressed that Hamas must not have any role in governing a future Palestinian state. He said Abbas’s commitment implied that the state would have neither a conventional army nor paramilitary forces.
“That’s a very significant step forward,” Mr. Albanese said.
He added that Australia’s position remains rooted in principle and a firm belief in a two-state solution. “We continue to push for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, humanitarian aid access for Gaza, and the exclusion of Hamas from any future governance,” he said.
He emphasized that Israel must be assured of its security as part of any long-term peace plan.
Mr. Albanese also addressed the impact of the conflict on Australian society, urging compassion and understanding at home. “No Jewish child should be harassed for events in Gaza, and Arab Australians and Muslims are not accountable for Hamas’s actions,” he said. “My goal is to navigate this very complex situation with care.”
Former Labor trade minister Craig Emerson acknowledged that the path toward recognising a Palestinian state has been long and challenging for the Labor Party.
