By Jake Evans, ABC.
Australia's Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley. Photo: AFP / SAEED KHAN
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has taken the unorthodox step of writing to United States Republicans to reassure the Congress members that a Coalition government would withdraw recognition of a Palestinian state.
The letter was dispatched ahead of a major address by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the United Nations, where he told the international community why Australia was recognising a Palestinian state.
On Sunday, the Australian government formally recognised Palestine jointly with the United Kingdom and Canada, accelerated by Israel's actions in Gaza.
In an address to the UN General Assembly, the prime minister warned that Gaza was in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe for which the Israeli government must accept "its share" of responsibility.
He said the ongoing conflict, the illegal expansion of settlements in the West Bank and threats to permanently displace Palestinian people were putting a two-state solution beyond reach, and a different path must be taken.
"We must break this cycle of violence and build something better," Albanese said.
"Working together, we can build a future where instead of children in Gaza dying in pain, living in fear or being taught to hate - they can go to school, build a 'life in larger freedom', aspire to raise children of their own.
"That future depends on recognition being followed by reconstruction and reform."
Albanese repeated that Hamas could play no role in the governance of Palestine, and the Palestinian Authority must keep its promises to demilitarise, hold democratic elections and reform its finances and education programs.
A "day after" peace plan that would be enacted following the end of conflict in Gaza is expected to be progressed at the UN.
The Albanese government's decision to recognise Palestine is one of the most significant splits in foreign policy between Labor and the Coalition, which until the announcement held the same longstanding position that recognition would follow a negotiated two-state solution between Palestine and Israel.
Ley spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Monday to express her "disappointment at this break with bipartisanship" with Labor on the issue of recognition and to reiterate the Coalition's position, she said on X.
Sa'ar said he expressed Israel's "appreciation for her position" and the promise to reverse the decision. He also invited Ley to visit Israel.
Coalition writes to reassure Republicans angry at Australia
A group of 25 Republicans on Sunday warned there could be "punitive measures" if Australia, Canada, the UK and France joined more than 150 other countries to recognise Palestine.
"Hamas's war crimes are clear, and its rejection of diplomacy should lead your countries to impose more pressure. Instead, you offer greater rewards," they wrote.
"Proceeding with recognition will put your country at odds with long-standing US policy and interests and may invite punitive measures in response."
In reply, the opposition leader wrote to reassure the Congress members that the decision to recognise Palestine did not enjoy bipartisan support.
"The federal opposition opposes this decision and would reverse it should we form government," Ley wrote.
"It is our view that Australia's national interest is best served through a two-state solution underscored by America's proactive engagement in the region.
"The path to a two-state solution can only be achieved after Hamas has been removed from power in Gaza and all hostages have been released, not before."
Ley wrote that the relationship between Australia and the US had been allowed to drift under Albanese, and said she would travel to the US in December seeking to "bring ballast" to the alliance.
The ABC understands Ley has not yet locked in meetings with senior Trump administration officials.
But Ley's announcement of a visit will put further pressure on the prime minister to finally sit down with US President Donald Trump.
The Trump Administration all but confirmed a one-on-one meeting between Albanese and the US President would not be happening during the UN meeting - though the president hinted last week the pair would soon meet.
The Coalition has pointed to the fact that the two are yet to meet face-to-face as a sign of fractures in the Australia-US relationship.
Meanwhile, the list of concerns has grown: the multi-decade AUKUS submarine agreement is in question, the US is pressuring Australia to lift its defence spending, and Trump has threatened massive tariffs on pharmaceuticals, a key Australian export, while pharmaceutical giants complain about Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday accused Ley of going "rogue" on foreign policy.
"Australia is strongest when our country speaks with one voice and I think Australians know that and it is a pity that Sussan Ley does not," she said.
Former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos told the ABC on Monday that he did not expect differences on Palestine to weigh heavily on the Australian-American relationship.
"I would take my cue from what happened in London, where Keir Starmer, the British prime minister, and the president, Donald Trump, agreed to differ on this subject," he said.
"While some people may criticise Australia about this decision of the Australian government, the reality is that's not going to be a huge thorn in the side of the relationship as far as I can tell."
-ABC
