MEDIA STATEMENT 22 September 2025
Today, the Albanese Government has made a grave and deeply irresponsible diplomatic blunder by formally recognising the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly. This decision, made without preconditions, without the return of the 48 hostages still languishing in Hamas tunnels, and without any meaningful reform or accountability from the Palestinian leadership, is not a step toward peace, it is a reward for terrorism and barbarism.
Let us be crystal clear: this recognition is not a gesture of hope, but a chilling concession to a regime that is run by a listed terrorist organisation. It is a hollow act of symbolism that undermines Australia’s credibility on the world stage and abandons our longstanding bipartisan commitment to a peace process grounded in security, legitimacy, and mutual recognition.
The Albanese Government has chosen to recognise a state that has no defined borders, no unified government, and no control over its own territory. Worse still, it has done so while Hamas continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, men, women, and children who were abducted during the atrocities of October 7, 2023. These hostages have now spent over 700 days in captivity, and yet the Government has offered recognition without demanding their release. This is not diplomacy. It is appeasement.
Prime Minister Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong claim this move is part of a “coordinated international effort” to build momentum for a two-state solution. But momentum without conditions is not peace, it is capitulation. The Palestinian Authority may have offered vague commitments to reform, but these are words without weight. There is no evidence of democratic elections, no transparency in governance, and no assurance that Hamas will be excluded from future leadership. In fact, the Palestinian Authority’s grip on power is tenuous at best, and its ability to deliver on these promises is questionable at every level.
The Albanese Government’s statement acknowledges that “Hamas must have no role in Palestine.” Yet it fails to explain how this will be enforced, or what consequences will follow if Hamas continues to operate with impunity. Recognition without enforcement is meaningless. It sends a dangerous message to terrorist organisations worldwide: violence works, and the international community will reward it with legitimacy.
This decision also flies in the face of Israel’s right to security and self-determination. By recognising Palestinian statehood in the midst of an ongoing conflict, Australia has undermined Israel’s efforts to protect its citizens and recover its hostages. It has emboldened those who seek Israel’s destruction and weakened the moral authority of nations that stand against terrorism.
The timing of this recognition is particularly appalling. Just days ago, Hamas released “farewell” images of the remaining hostages, threatening their lives as Israel continues its operations in Gaza City. Families across Israel and around the world are pleading for their loved ones’ safe return. And yet, instead of standing in solidarity with these victims, the Albanese Government has chosen to legitimise the very regime that holds them captive.
This is not the Australia I know. This is not the principled, courageous nation that has stood for justice, human rights, and the rule of law. This is a government chasing headlines, not outcomes, seeking applause from international elites while turning its back on the victims of terror.
The Coalition has long maintained that recognition of Palestinian statehood must come at the end of a peace process, not in the middle of a war. It must be earned through negotiation, reform, and the unequivocal rejection of violence. It must be built on the foundation of mutual recognition, secure borders, and a commitment to coexistence. Anything less is a betrayal of both peoples.
Let us also not forget the broader implications of this decision. Australia’s recognition of Palestine has already strained our relationship with Israel, one of our closest democratic allies and security partners in the region. It has provoked threats from US legislators, who warn of punitive measures against nations that legitimise Hamas. And it has emboldened anti-Israel sentiment within Australia and across the globe, further destabilising an already volatile region.
This reckless move also undermines Australia’s credibility in international diplomacy. How can we claim to stand against terrorism while legitimising a regime that shelters it? How can we advocate for human rights while ignoring the plight of hostages held in underground tunnels? How can we promote peace while bypassing the very process that makes peace possible?
The Albanese Government must be held accountable for this decision. It must explain why it chose recognition over responsibility, symbolism over substance, and appeasement over principle. It must answer to the families of the hostages, to the people of Israel, and to every Australian who believes in justice and security.
At this point in time, Palestinian recognition is not a step toward peace, it is a step toward chaos.
Australia must stand firm in its values. We must not reward terror. We must not abandon our allies. And we must not compromise our principles for the sake of political theatre.
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West
Mobile | 0402 556 646
Email | brendan.west@aph.gov.au