The Opposition says it would revoke recognition of Palestine if elected. The decision comes just a day after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed to Australia recognising the state of Palestine at the UN next month joining a growing list of countries pushing for change.
00:00The opposition has made this announcement following what we heard from the Prime Minister yesterday that the Australian Government will recognise the state of Palestine.
00:10That decision following in the footsteps of some of Australia's closest allies such as France, the United Kingdom and Canada.
00:18This declaration being made at the UN General Assembly next month in New York.
00:23Now, yesterday when the announcement was made, the Prime Minister said Australia's decision to also make this recognition would help build global momentum and try and move towards ending violence in the Middle East.
00:36But the opposition argues this isn't the way to go, that the recognition should come at the end of the process.
00:42Now, Shadow Cabinet met today to discuss its position and a statement released by the opposition leader, Susan Lee, declared that if the opposition were to form government, you know, sometime down the track, it would revoke this recognition.
00:58It doesn't in the statement explain how exactly that would work or how it would occur.
01:03But here's a little bit of what opposition leader Susan Lee had to say earlier today.
01:08We would never have made this decision.
01:12To get ahead of a proper peace process is against the interests of the Palestinian people who deserve a strong, committed, dedicated leadership that cares about their welfare and cares about their future.
01:27It makes no sense to recognise a Palestinian state when you have terrorists on the border of Israel who want to see Israel destroyed.
01:40And Steph, we heard from the Prime Minister earlier today.
01:43He strengthened his criticism of Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
01:47Yeah, his criticism and his language are much stronger towards his counterpart in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.
01:54Mr Albanese asked earlier today, you know, is the frustration around how this war is carried out, did that lead partly to why the Australian government made the decision that it did?
02:07And his answer was yes.
02:09Mr Albanese listing a number of areas that the Australian government is concerned about.
02:14Now, following this announcement, we have obviously heard a lot of reaction.
02:19One of the latest out of Israel is from the President in a statement.
02:23He said Australia's announcement was grave and a dangerous mistake.
02:27But Mr Albanese very much standing by the decision of recognition and listing some of the reasons why this had to be done.
02:35Firstly, the stopping of aid that we've seen and then the loss of life that we're seeing around those aid distribution points,
02:50where people queuing for food and water, losing their lives, is just completely unacceptable.
03:00And we have said that.
03:02I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
03:05He again reiterated to me what he has said publicly as well, which is to be in denial about the consequences that are occurring for innocent people.
03:20I mean, we have no truck with Hamas.
03:25Hamas needs to be disarmed, needs to be gotten rid of.
03:29Now, more than 145 of the 193 UN member nations recognise Palestine as a state.
03:38This recognition, these messages of support will be made, as I mentioned, at that UN General Assembly in New York next month.
03:45And the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, will be there as well.
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