THE HON SUSSAN LEY MP
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
SENATOR THE HON MICHAELIA CASH
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT
COALITION POSITION ON A PALESTINIAN STATE
Tuesday, 12 August 2025
The Coalition wants Israeli hostages to be released, Gazans to be fed and for the war to end.
The Albanese Government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state outside of a proper peace and two-state process will not deliver that outcome.
The decision does not make the world a safer place, expedite the end of the conflict, deliver a two-state solution, see the free flow of aid, support the release of hostages nor put an end to the terrorist group Hamas.
As a result the Coalition Shadow Cabinet resolved today to oppose the Government’s decision to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state outside of these processes.
The Shadow Cabinet also resolved that recognition would be revoked by a Coalition Government.
The Coalition would have never made this call and we do not agree with it. A Coalition Government would only recognise a Palestinian State at the conclusion of a proper peace process.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australian recognition is predicated on there being no role for Hamas; the demilitarisation of Palestine; an acknowledgment of Israel’s right to exist; free and fair elections in Palestine; and, reform of governance, financial transparency and the education system, including international oversight to guard against the incitement of violence and hatred.
Unfortunately the Albanese Government has made it clear that they will still recognise a Palestinian state, regardless of whether or not their own conditions are met.
The reality is the conditions the Prime Minister himself claims to be necessary for recognition are not being met and are pushed further away by recognising a Palestinian state outside of a proper peace and two-state process.
Anthony Albanese has broken with longstanding bipartisan foreign policy and has failed to adequately explain how it will deliver peace and support Australia’s national interests, especially when our most important security ally in the United States is opposed.
The Prime Minister has also failed to explain what happens to Australia’s recognition if Hamas stays in power or another terrorist group takes their place after the UN General Assembly Meeting in September.
Recognising a Palestinian state while there are hostages in tunnels and terrorists in control of the Gaza strip is not the right decision.
Australians all want the war in Gaza to end. Ending this war is the only way to save lives and safeguard a two-state solution. The clear advice of our most important ally the United States of America is this decision will not expedite that outcome.
[ENDS]
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