Victorian Labor has voted to act against "military occupation, siege and genocide" in Palestine and suspend Australia's participation in the three-nation AUKUS defence agreement.
While non-binding on the state or federal government, the grassroots motions passed at the party's state conference in Melbourne on Saturday highlight tensions on international policy within the Labor movement.
Two successful AUKUS motions included calling for an inquiry into the defence agreement, suspending Australia's participation in it and urging a federal government review into its ongoing participation.
The vote to "act against military occupation, siege and genocide" in Palestine was passed with strong support and to a standing ovation from some members of the Moonee Valley Racecourse audience after unsuccessful amendments to change the wording.
The motion called for immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, comprehensive sanctions on members of Israel's Netanyahu government and improved military trade transparency and tracking laws.
A similar resolution on Palestine passed at the state conference in 2024 after the terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and the nation's subsequent military campaign in Gaza.
Labor's official platform backs Palestinian statehood but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not set a timeline for implementing the policy and recently declared it not imminent.
Premier Jacinta Allan said Victoria's policy was to follow the federal government and stressed the importance of a strong defence industry for national protection.
Friction within the party over the Middle East flared earlier in the day when a handful of members staged a silent protest against Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, which involved them holding up images of Palestinian flags on phones and devices.
During his address, Mr Marles thanked the crowd for helping secure a thumping federal election win and increased seats in Victoria, while Ms Allan's speech was firmly focused on the 2026 state election.
She promoted her newly unveiled plan to legalise the right to work from home while ramping up language favoured by Labor leaders, including referring to the opposition as "Tories" and "just Liberals".
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil, Transport Minister Catherine King and Skills Minister Andrew Giles were among the federal MPs to join state colleagues, party members and union officials at the gathering.
A coalition of several dozen activists marched the area outside the racecourse, opposing the "genocide in Gaza", forced administration of the CFMEU and incoming state protest laws.
Police were on standby and security was heightened for the event after pro-Palestine protesters stormed the venue in 2024, with attendees this year forced to show tickets multiple times and tarps used to shield public view.
The 2024 security breach led to the conference floor being locked down and delayed speeches by Mr Albanese and Ms Allan.
Mr Albanese didn't attend in person this year, instead heading to the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory's remote Arnhem Land.
