‘Weak’: Labor put politics before principle on Middle East

The Coalition’s new foreign affairs spokesman has warned Labor put politics above principle by changing Australia’s position on key Israel-Palestine votes at the UN to chase inner city votes.

Exclusive: Labor has put politics above principle by changing Australia’s position on key Israel-Palestine votes at the United Nations to chase inner city votes, the Coalition’s new foreign affairs spokesman has warned.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, senior Liberal David Coleman said while foreign issues typically enjoyed bipartisanship, his view was this could not extend to the Middle East since the Albanese Government diverged from the US and Israel on several recent UN votes.

“Foreign Minister Penny Wong is not infallible, and should be held to account like anyone else,” he said.

“The truth is that Minister Wong changed Australia’s long-held and previously bipartisan position on issues in the Middle East for domestic political reasons.”

Mr Coleman, who was given the foreign affairs portfolio in a shadow cabinet reshuffle announced by Opposition leader Peter Dutton on the weekend, blamed the looming 2025 election for Labor changing votes at the UN.

Senior Liberal David Coleman blamed the looming 2025 election for Labor changing votes at the UN. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Because Labor is worried about losing a few inner-city seats, they reversed the long-held bipartisan position that a two-state solution in the Middle East can only come about through a negotiation involving all parties – including Israel,” he said.

“Before the 2022 election they promised that there would be no difference between Labor and the Coalition on this issue – and then after the election they completely changed their position.

“By putting inner-city politics before principle and before Australia’s national interest, (Prime Minister Anthony) Albanese has demonstrated again what a weak and ineffective leader he is.”

Several Labor-held seats in Western Sydney, including Blaxland and Watson, as well as in Melbourne outer suburbs in electorates like Calwell are being targeted by independents backed by the grassroots Muslim Votes movement.

Mr Coleman called the PM a “weak and ineffective leader”. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In December last year Australia shifted its vote on several UN resolutions, including voting yes on a motion about the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine.

Both the US and Israel voted against the resolution, but a spokeswoman for Ms Wong said at the time Australia’s approach was to “try and achieve the best outcomes we can”.

“We don’t always get everything we want,” she said. “But if, on balance, we believe the resolution will contribute to peace and a two-state solution, we will vote for it.”

Despite diverging from Labor on the Middle East, Mr Coleman said it was his intention to work constructively where possible on international issues.

He said the Coalition wanted to see Australia’s Ambassador to the US, former prime minister Kevin Rudd, be successful in advocating for the nation’s interests.

He also cited the importance of the Pacific and supporting Ukraine as it fights against Russia’s illegal invasion as key areas of focus.

“We should be proud of who we are as a nation, and the democratic values that we stand for,” he said.

“When making decisions in foreign affairs, our north star must always be our values and Australia’s national interests.”

Originally published as ‘Weak’: Labor put politics before principle on Middle East