Albanese pushed to go further after Palestine recognition
AUSTRALIA TO RECOGNISE PALESTINIAN STATE
The reaction to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement yesterday that Australia plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly next month dominates coverage this morning.
The AAP leads on the fact that the Albanese government has been urged by some to now go even further and follow Monday’s announcement with sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel.
Meanwhile, the ABC has led on Israel’s ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon saying the recognition of a Palestinian state would do nothing to end the conflict in Gaza.
Maimon told the 7.30 program last night: “I would like to say a few words about the recognition of Australia — first of all, it’s important to emphasise we reject the recognition, unilateral recognition.”
He added: “It will not change anything on the ground, it will not bring a ceasefire, it will not bring the two parties closer. The only solution, the only way out is if the two parties will sit down and will negotiate directly and bilaterally. This is something that needs to be understood.”
The ABC reports the ambassador denied during the interview that Israel has a policy of starvation in Gaza. As mentioned yesterday, Ramesh Rajasingham, the coordination director of the UN’s humanitarian office OCHA, has said the situation in Gaza had developed into full-blown starvation. “This is no longer a looming hunger crisis — this is starvation, pure and simple,” he said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong also appeared on 7.30 last night and said the government was “very concerned” by the recent declaration from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel plans to take control of the whole of Gaza.
“I joined others in calling out our opposition to it, it will exacerbate a humanitarian disaster, it will escalate the conflict, it risks and endangers the lives of hostages. What that did confirm for us … and I think to the world, regrettably, is at the moment a ceasefire is not within reach,” she said.
The BBC highlights Albanese said Australia had received commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including that it would demilitarise, hold general elections and continue to recognise Israel’s right to exist. The PM said the decision by his government was taken following commitments from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that Hamas would play no role in any future state.
Wong was asked if those conditions not being met would change the plans at the UN General Assembly, to which she replied it was an “opportunity to contribute to peace”.
“What we will also do is work with the international community to hold the Palestinian Authority to its commitments. We do have unprecedented commitments from the Arab League, a group of Arab countries saying Hamas must lay down their arms, Hamas must relinquish their control on Gaza. These are historic commitments and we need to take this opportunity to contribute to peace,” Wong said.
The AAP highlights Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni saying of yesterday’s announcement: “Recognition is completely meaningless while Australia continues to arms-trade with, diplomatically protect and encourage other states to normalise relations with the very state perpetrating these atrocities. Palestinian rights are not a gift to be granted by Western states.”
The newswire says Labor Friends of Palestine also urged the federal government to go further with sanctions and an arms embargo, citing “a groundswell” of member support.
Yesterday’s announcement by Albanese puts Australia in alignment with allies such as the UK, Canada and France. The president of the latter, Emmanuel Macron, posted on social media in the last few hours that he welcomed “the fact that Australian Prime Minister @AlboMP is joining the momentum we created in New York … This reflects our commitment to the two-state solution and to the need to collectively rebuild a political pathway, without which there can be no peace and security for all.”
Fellow Five Eyes member New Zealand also made an announcement on the subject yesterday, with Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters saying cabinet would make a formal decision on Palestinian statehood next month, Al Jazeera reports.
If New Zealand does follow Australia in September, that would leave the United States as the only member of the intelligence alliance to have not declared plans to recognise a Palestinian state. On Monday, Coalition foreign affairs spokesperson Michaelia Cash said Labor’s decision to do so risked “delivering Hamas one of its strategic objectives of the horrific terrorism of October 7” and put Australia at odds with its most important ally, AAP reports.
The ABC points out that at present, 147 of the 193 UN member states recognise Palestine as a sovereign state. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber on the latest edition of the broadcaster’s Politics Now podcast debate the likelihood of US President Donald Trump using America’s right to veto at the UN to block the recognition next month, with the BBC pointing out the Trump administration believes recognising Palestinian statehood would be rewarding Hamas. At the weekend, US Vice President JD Vance reiterated the US had no plans to recognise a Palestinian state, the British broadcaster said.
The Guardian led overnight on the funerals of the five Al Jazeera journalists who were killed in Gaza on Sunday by an Israeli airstrike. Al Jazeera has called the killing of correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh and their crew Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa a “desperate attempt to silence the voices exposing the impending seizure and occupation of Gaza”.
RATES DAY IS HERE
Like yesterday, domestic news is focused on the actions of the RBA and its latest interest rate decision.
As we laid out on Monday, pretty much no-one is betting on the central bank defying expectations and holding rates again today, with nearly all commentators convinced the board will lower the cash rate to 3.6%. We’ll soon find out if they are right.
The Australian Financial Review definitely doesn’t want anyone getting carried away. While conceding the RBA “is almost certain” to lower interest rates, the paper cites some economists who reckon “weak productivity growth, low unemployment and rising government spending mean only one or two more rate cuts are likely from here”. Always cheery.
The AAP highlights that regardless of what the RBA does, “the rates offered to consumers will still be substantially higher than the central bank’s benchmark figure” and says that of the big four banks, only Westpac automatically lowers a customer’s payments if they have it set to the minimum.
AI IN SCHOOLS?
The AAP reports the Productivity Commission has recommended schools should use artificial intelligence to ease the load on teachers and tackle educational inequity. The report also called for financial incentives for businesses to train workers on AI tools.
“A thriving, adaptable workforce will give us the productivity growth we need to see higher wages and better living standards,” deputy chair Alex Robson said.
“As the pace of change in work and technology continues to accelerate, we need to ensure that workers can acquire the skills they’ll need to thrive.”
This is the fourth of five reports the Productivity Commission is releasing ahead of the government’s much-hyped economic reform roundtable next week. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he welcomed the report and thanked the commission for “helping us think through some of the big challenges in our economy”.
Elsewhere, the AFR this morning leads on the government reportedly delaying the release “of highly detailed government modelling outlining the severe economic, environmental and budgetary risks posed by the effects of climate change”.
Finally, if you haven’t listened to it yet, check out Crikey’s new weekly podcast Cut Through here.
ON A LIGHTER NOTE…
A part-time church minister has achieved global recognition for the sand sculptures he creates on days out at the beach.
The Washington Post has written a feature on Mark Lewis, who has created more than 200 sand sculptures, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Darth Vader, Han Solo and Hogwarts.
In May of this year he created a giant pair of Crocs on Weymouth Beach while on holiday in Dorset, England, which provided beachgoers with a hell of a lot of fun and resulted in an appearance on the BBC.
The 57-year-old told The Washington Post: “It’s just nice to put a smile on somebody’s face and put a bit of joy into the world.”
After the success of his Crocs sculpture, Lewis now has a social media following, which he uses to ask for ideas on what to create next — some of which he now produces in the 8-by-8-foot sandpit he built in his backyard.
Say What?
We cannot accept that territorial issues between Russia and America are discussed or even decided over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians.
Friedrich Merz
The German chancellor echoes the concerns of those in Ukraine and Europe as US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin prepare to meet in Alaska on Friday. Trump on Monday said he would “try and get” some territory back for Ukraine.
CRIKEY RECAP
Via News Corp, Australia’s defence policy continues to be dictated by our economic enemy
It’s not especially surprising that News Corp should be the chosen mechanism of delivery. It is a US company; it exists to serve the interests of its American owners. Like other large US companies, it also has a complex but ultimately dependent relationship with Trump. And it is not a media company, which might mean its Australian outlets undertake journalism and thus have some working concept of the public interest in the Australian context.
The inaptly named The Australian is more like a messenger service to transmit requests from the imperial capital to one of its frontier provinces. Moreover, it’s hardly the first time the national broadsheet has been used to convey Washington’s wrath that Australia is not spending enough money on defence (and, specifically, the American companies that benefit from such spending).
Budget, or fiscal, sustainability means that government debt as a share of the economy does not consistently increase. This is measured by the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio.
Budget discipline improves the well-being of Australians by giving the government room to respond to economic shocks and ensuring the sustained provision of government services.
To keep government spending in check, stronger budget rules with numerical targets are needed. The treasurer’s roundtable is a good opportunity to consider such rules.
‘I’m a TERF’: Inside the UK’s version of Sky News — and Trump’s new media partner
“I hope you like TERFS and Jews,” quips Josh Howie, host of GB News’ Free Speech Nation, a program that involves guests fielding live questions from the crowd about the news of the day.
Debuting on British free-to-air TV just over four years ago and last year beating BBC News and UK Sky News three days in a row, it’s safe to say that GB News is one of a kind. I’ve been watching it regularly now for months — partly out of fascination, partly as an exercise in remaining outside my echo chamber — and find myself in the audience inside a west London TV studio on a Sunday night.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
The 11 days that made Albanese and Labor change their path on Palestinian recognition (The Sydney Morning Herald) ($)
Trump orders National Guard to Washington and takeover of capital’s police (The New York Times) ($)
Prince Harry, Meghan and Netflix extend partnership for streaming programs (Associated Press)
WFH plan to go to summit; Westpac CEO warns it could split the office (AFR) ($)
WA’s ‘longest and most intense’ marine heatwave killed coral across 1,500km stretch (Guardian Australia)
THE COMMENTARIAT
Australia’s recognition of Palestinian statehood goes beyond symbolism — Laura Tingle (ABC): Australia’s decision to recognise the state of Palestine has been a very long time coming and, compared to the announcements by other countries in recent weeks, may seem to have been late out of the blocks.
But it is in the very way Australia has come to the announcement that we can get a better understanding of the seismic shift in the broader international position on Palestinian statehood that has occurred in recent months.
And it also gives us a path through understanding what the political, and practical, implications of the decision might be.
Albanese’s Palestinian statehood decision won’t please everyone – but it’s better than the horrifying status quo — Tom McIlroy (Guardian Australia): Whether Albanese’s decision is a turning point, or remembered as a symbolic move in the decades-long mire of conflict, will be determined by whether Abbas can deliver, and whether Netanyahu, who appears to be extending the war to ensure his own political survival, will ever allow peace.
Albanese himself is also aware he is breaking with the United States and risking the ire of Donald Trump, who is still one of Netanyahu’s closest backers. Trump has linked Canada’s decision on recognition to tougher trade tariffs.
