A union leader has complained that ACTU officials quashed debate over Gaza by waving through criticism of Israel but sending off calls for Hamas to release its hostages to be decided behind closed doors.

Australian Services Union tax officers’ division secretary and Left-aligned official, Jeff Lapidos, attacked the ACTU policy endorsed at the peak body’s triennial congress last week for calling on the Albanese government to pressure Israel to stop its bombing of Gaza but making no mention of Israeli hostages, Hamas or its role in the war.