Gaza

The Israel/Hamas conflict has been and continues to be devastating beyond belief.  

I welcome the announcement by the Australian Government on 11 August 2025 that Australia will recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.  I agree that Hamas must have no role in governing Palestine.  

I hope this recognition will be a step towards a peaceful two-state solution, where both Israel and Palestine have the right to exist without conflict.  

I support the calls made by the Australian Government in a joint statement with 29 other countries on 21 July 2025, stating, “a simple, urgent message: the war in Gaza must end now.” 

During the first sitting week of the 48th Parliament I spoke publicly on the situation in Gaza and stood with Medecins Sans Frontieres, supporting the petition to the Australian Government, to demand action to protect lives, stop weaponising aid and lift the siege in Gaza. It seems clear that international humanitarian law is being breached and Australia should do everything in its power to stop Israel from using starvation as a tool of war. 

I have spoken and met with many constituents, advocates and concerned community groups and have passed on their messages to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, including our distress and anxiety over the continued blockage of aid into Gaza, the escalating humanitarian crisis, and the lack of viable medical facilities or functioning hospitals. 

As I have done since first addressing this conflict, I also call on the terrorist organisation, Hamas, to release all remaining hostages immediately, who have endured unimaginable suffering.   

Almost half of us in Australia were born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas.  Australians of all backgrounds should feel safe and free here without fear of racial slurs or vilification.  I condemn any antisemitic or Islamophobic language that fosters division in Australia.   

Australia is a culturally diverse, civil and tolerant nation. We must hold tightly to the democratic values that underpin our national identity and enable diverse communities to live peacefully together as Australians. 

As a country, we must play our part in upholding international law. The Australian Government should be using all the diplomatic tools it has to uphold international law and address this humanitarian crisis in Gaza now.