Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia
OP-ED
The West Australian
23 September 2025
Anthony Albanese’s recognition of Palestinian state is an act of politics over principle
As Americans gathered to honour the life of Charlie Kirk, a man celebrated for his unwavering defence of freedom, democracy and Western values, Anthony Albanese chose a very different path.
Mr Albanese used his trip to New York to officially recognise a Palestinian state — a move that rewards terrorists who reject those very values.
Mr Albanese and Penny Wong’s trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly has had lasting consequences for Australia’s security and our alliance with the United States.
The Prime Minister has now formally recognised a Palestinian state.
This is not an act of principle, but of politics. It is a reckless gamble with no safeguards, no clear plan, and no accountability. It rewards terrorists, undermines negotiations, and weakens our standing among our democratic allies.
For decades, both major parties in Australia supported a negotiated two-state solution. The road to peace runs through agreements on borders, security guarantees, refugees, and mutual recognition. That is why recognition of a Palestinian state was always treated as the end point of talks — not a free prize handed out at the start.
By discarding that principle, Mr Albanese has abandoned decades of bipartisan consensus. He has shifted Australia from supporting negotiation to endorsing unilateralism. Far from advancing peace, his decision risks freezing the conflict in place.
Israel will see this as proof that the international community is stacked against it. Palestinian leaders will see no reason to compromise once the biggest prize of all has already been delivered.
Recognition now, while Hamas still controls Gaza, still holds hostages, and still calls for Israel’s destruction, sends one chilling message: terrorism works.
On October 7 last year, Hamas slaughtered innocent civilians in the most brutal terrorist attack Israel has ever faced. Families were massacred, women raped, children taken hostage. To this day, hostages remain underground in Gaza.
And yet, Mr Albanese has handed Hamas a propaganda victory by recognising a Palestinian state. Hamas itself has called recognition the “fruit of October 7”. That should ring alarm bells for every Australian. You don’t make peace by rewarding terrorists. But that is exactly what Mr Albanese has done.
Recognition will not free a single hostage. It will not disarm Hamas. It will not deliver Palestinians the functioning, democratic state they deserve. What it will do is give Labor a headline in New York — and Hamas a morale boost in Gaza.
Real recognition must come only after strict conditions are met: Hamas removed from power, full demilitarisation, free elections, governance reforms, and Israel’s right to exist guaranteed. None of those conditions are in place.
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