Albanese government roasted for ‘socialist left' taking over Israel-Gaza rhetoric since elected
'It's been pretty clear that they've been anti-Israel since they were elected,' Mr Cenatiempo told Sky News host Chris Kenny.
'It's been a dramatic shift in the Labor Party since the socialist left took over.
'When the Labor Party was run by the sensible right, you would never have had this kind of rhetoric.'
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ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Anthony Albanese says Australia will not be pushed over timing of decision on Palestinian statehood
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he wants to see conditions met that achieve lasting security for Israel before Australia commits to recognition of a Palestinian state. The conditions match those put forward by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney: the demilitarisation of Palestine, reform of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the exit of Hamas from control of Gaza. Mr Albanese says he wants to see progress before Australia makes the same call. "Those stipulations need to be advanced. That's the point. We want to make sure its not just a gesture." Mr Albanese acknowledged "significant advances" recently by the Palestinian Authority on commitments to Israel's security. "The decision to recognise (Palestine) on the path to two states being created would make a positive difference … but in order for that to be a achieved there needs to be security for the state of Israel." Mr Albanese also said Australia will not be dictated to by the United States or any other nation when it comes to making a decision on recognising a Palestinian state. On Thursday Canada joined France and the United Kingdom in indicating they would, with conditions, recognise a Palestinian state during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in September. Pressed on the issue, Mr Albanese said Australia would not be beholden to a timeline of joining those nations at the UN General Assembly. "It will be a decision by the Australian government based upon the assessment that my fellow Cabinet members will make, that us making that declaration will actually make a difference and be a positive step towards the realisation of the two-state goal," Mr Albanese told 7.30. Like other world leaders Mr Albanese said conditions would have to be met. "I believe very strongly that the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people need to be realised," Mr Albanese told 7.30. Mr Albanese said there has been significant progress on the pathway to "the creation of two states" and that recognising a Palestinian state will make a contribution to that process. "That decision to recognise on the path to a two state being created would make a positive difference," he said. "In recent times, we've seen some significant advances, including the statement by the Palestinian Authority on June 10, recognising Israel, opposing any future involvement of Hamas in a Palestinian state, committing to democratic elections within 12 months of a Palestinian state being created and excluding Hamas from that process." The decisions of Mr Starmer, Mr Carney and Mr Macron to offer that support for a Palestinian State have drawn the ire of Israel. When Mr Macron announced his plans, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted the following on X. "A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it," Mr Netanyahu wrote. "Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel." The UK and Canadian decisions were met with similar responses. Israel's foreign ministry rejected the Canadian statement earlier on Thursday. "The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages," it wrote on X in a statement. One of Israel's biggest supporters has been the United States. After Mr Starmer's announcement US President Donald Trump would not be drawn on a position other than to say he was focused on getting aid into Gaza. Mr Albanese told 7.30 any US decision or lack thereof would have no bearing on what Australia does. "We'll make our own decisions, but clearly the United States have a role to play here," he said. "The United States has significant influence, not just over Israel, but also over countries that they have strong relationships with, such as Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations in the region. Israel's military operation in Gaza — which was triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks on Israel — has continued ever since with large-scale strikes. The situation in Gaza is now worsening with over 60,000 dead, according to the Gazan Health Ministry, and reports of starvation. Mr Albanese said the actions of Israel that have impacted civilians in Gaza are unacceptable. "Israel's actions are not defensible," Mr Albanese said, before adding that Australia is prepared to do more to help with aid. "Australia is certainly prepared to provide additional aid to Gaza. "We have a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding there and Australia is willing to play our part. "They [Israel] need to allow aid to flow freely into Gaza so as to avoid what we're seeing there with innocent people being deprived of essential food and water. "That is indeed something that is bringing ... legitimate criticism of the actions of the Netanyahu government." Watch 7.30, Mondays to Thursdays 7:30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV Do you know more about this story? Get in touch with 7.30 here.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Spying at unprecedented levels': ASIO boss sounds alarm on espionage threat
The nation's top spy boss has revealed espionage is costing Australia an estimated $12.5 billion a year as foreign operatives mount increasingly audacious attempts to pilfer highly sensitive defence and business secrets. ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said the organisation had disrupted 24 major espionage and foreign interference operations in the past three years – more than the previous eight years combined. Yet more than 35,000 Australians have exposed themselves to danger by 'recklessly' boasting on professional networking sites that they have access to sensitive information. Burgess revealed that spies recently gained access to official Australian documents on free trade negotiations by recruiting someone with a security clearance, while others convinced a state bureaucrat to obtain the names and addresses of dissidents being targeted by a foreign regime. Spies have also hacked into the computer network of a major Australian exporter to gain an advantage in negotiations, tried to place an agent in a media organisation by masquerading as a researcher and stolen tree branches from a horticultural facility to reverse-engineer Australian research. 'Nation states are spying at unprecedented levels, with unprecedented sophistication,' Burgess said while delivering the Hawke Oration in Adelaide on Thursday, a speech named in honour of the late Labor prime minister. Loading 'ASIO is seeing more Australians targeted – more aggressively – than ever before.' Burgess said that foreign spies were taking a 'very unhealthy' interest in the AUKUS defence pact, describing Australia's defence sector as 'a top intelligence collection priority for foreign governments seeking to blunt our operational edge, gain insights into our operational readiness and tactics, and better understand our allies' capabilities'. 'Targets include maritime and aviation-related military capabilities, but also innovations with both commercial and military applications,' he said.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
‘Spying at unprecedented levels': ASIO boss sounds alarm on espionage threat
The nation's top spy boss has revealed espionage is costing Australia an estimated $12.5 billion a year as foreign operatives mount increasingly audacious attempts to pilfer highly sensitive defence and business secrets. ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said the organisation had disrupted 24 major espionage and foreign interference operations in the past three years – more than the previous eight years combined. Yet more than 35,000 Australians have exposed themselves to danger by 'recklessly' boasting on professional networking sites that they have access to sensitive information. Burgess revealed that spies recently gained access to official Australian documents on free trade negotiations by recruiting someone with a security clearance, while others convinced a state bureaucrat to obtain the names and addresses of dissidents being targeted by a foreign regime. Spies have also hacked into the computer network of a major Australian exporter to gain an advantage in negotiations, tried to place an agent in a media organisation by masquerading as a researcher and stolen tree branches from a horticultural facility to reverse-engineer Australian research. 'Nation states are spying at unprecedented levels, with unprecedented sophistication,' Burgess said while delivering the Hawke Oration in Adelaide on Thursday, a speech named in honour of the late Labor prime minister. Loading 'ASIO is seeing more Australians targeted – more aggressively – than ever before.' Burgess said that foreign spies were taking a 'very unhealthy' interest in the AUKUS defence pact, describing Australia's defence sector as 'a top intelligence collection priority for foreign governments seeking to blunt our operational edge, gain insights into our operational readiness and tactics, and better understand our allies' capabilities'. 'Targets include maritime and aviation-related military capabilities, but also innovations with both commercial and military applications,' he said.
