Key events
Albanese says too many journalists dead in Gaza after prominent Al Jazeera reporter killed in Israeli strike
The prime minister was asked on ABC News about the death of Anas al-Sharif, a prominent reporter for Al Jazeera who was killed alongside four of his colleagues in an Israeli airstrike on Sunday night.
Albanese said he couldn’t comment on the specific incident, but said too many media and aid workers had been killed in the conflict:
I’m not in a position to comment on any individual. What we can say, though, is that too many innocent lives have been lost in Gaza.
There have been too many journalists, people who are aid workers as well providing assistance, including of course an Australian citizen, lost in the past couple of years. You know, we see too many innocent lives being lost across the board.
Michaelia Cash says recognition of Palestine rewards ‘terrorists’
Michaelia Cash, the shadow foreign affairs minister, said Australia’s move would reward Hamas and deliver one of its strategic objectives behind the 7 October attacks. Cash told RN Breakfast’s Sally Sara:
You don’t achieve peace, Sally, by rewarding terrorists. In making his announcement to recognise Palestine prior to a return of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas, Mr Albanese has effectively delivered Hamas, which is a terrorist organisation, one of its strategic objectives of the horrific terrorism on October the 7th.
The Coalition is clear: you don’t reward terrorists while they’re still holding innocent people captive.
Cash maintained the Coalition’s stance that Israeli has a right to defend itself, although she said both parties – Israel and Hamas – must comply with international law. When pressed on Radio National about Israel’s blockade of aid in Gaza, Cash said there was “no question” the humanitarian situation there was dire:
That is not for you and I to sit back in Australia [and say] when we’ve probably both gone and had a cup of coffee this morning in our office …
Australia must advocate for safe, reliable humanitarian access, and this means ensuring aid is delivered even under conflict. It must reach civilians and it cannot be exploited by any party. Our focus should stay firm, on protecting children and innocent civilians, not deflecting blame.
Wong says recognition a change to ‘move to a better future’
Foreign minister Penny Wong said the world has an opportunity to “move to a better future” and that’s why Australia said yesterday it would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN in September. Wong spoke to RN Breakfast this morning, saying:
We’ve been looking for the best opportunity for Australia to contribute to international momentum that breaks the cycle of violence. And that is what two-states seeks to do.
We can’t keep doing what we have been doing and hoping for a different outcome. And I think that’s the decision that so many countries of the world have made.
Wong also acknowledged that the US has a different role in the world and that Trump has been working to establish a ceasefire in Gaza. But she said Australia would continue to act alongside “many partners” to see that happen, too.
Albanese says Trump has been an advocate for peace
The prime minister was asked what Australia would do if the US, a permanent member of the UN security council, votes against any effort to address the conflict in Gaza during the next general assembly in September. Albanese said:
We will see how this plays out. But the world is coming together. …
We want to see the world move forward on this and certainly President Trump has been a strong advocate for peace.
President Trump will, of course, make decisions based upon the interests of the United States. We’re not big players in the Middle East, that is true, but this is a part of building that momentum of the world.
Albanese says ‘you can’t just keep doing the same thing’ after saying Australia will recognise Palestinian state
The prime minister just spoke to Channel 7’s Sunrise this morning, saying Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state sent a message to the international community that “enough is enough”. Albanese said:
You can’t just keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome. This is the best opportunity that there is out of a crisis to actually provide a long-term solution. …
Albanese elaborated on his call with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, saying afterwards you “can’t just continue to do what he is saying, which is, we will continue to just have this military operation, without any political strategy for a solution going forward”:
We’re seeing how it is playing out, which is Gaza reduced to rubble. Tens of thousands of innocent lives being lost, innocent kids being killed while trying to get basic essential of food and water.
The world is watching. People are sick of it. It’s horrific watching that.
Good morning
Good morning and welcome to the live blog. It’s Nick Visser here to take you through the day’s news. Here’s what’s on deck:
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, welcomed Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state. Macron wrote on social media Anthony Albanese’s announcement joined “the momentum we created in New York, which has already been supported by the United Kingdom, Canada, Portugal, and others”.
Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, maintained Australia’s decision would only reward Hamas and in no way help the Palestinian people. Herzog said “these declarations, by Australia and other countries, are a reward for terror, a prize for the enemies of freedom, liberty, and democracy. This is a grave and dangerous mistake”.
It’s RBA day for mortgage holders and savers. The Reserve Bank is set to hand down its decision on interest rates around 2.30pm Sydney time.
Let’s get to it.
