The crisis in Gaza has grown impossible to ignore: images of starving children and decimated neighbourhoods have shaken the world. Against this backdrop, pressure is piling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to make a historic shift — formally recognising Palestine as a state.
So why hasn’t it happened yet? And what would make the Albanese government act?
What is Anthony Albanese waiting for to recognise Palestine as a state?
While more than 140 countries and organisations have recognised Palestine, it is still not universally accepted as a sovereign state under international law. The main reason is that Palestine does not control its own borders, airspace, or security, and the Palestinian territories remain under Israeli military occupation and blockade.
Albanese hasn’t backed away from his support for a two-state solution — that is where both Israelis and Palestinians each have their own independent country, living side by side within secure and recognised borders.
He doubled down in a recent interview with ABC’s 7.30, saying: “What we’re looking at is the circumstances where recognition will advance the objective of the creation of two states.
“My entire political life I’ve said I support two states, the right of Israel to exist in secure borders and the right of Palestinians to have their legitimate aspirations for their own state realised. That’s my objective.”
He stresses that he “wants to make sure it’s not just a gesture but it’s a positive contribution”. According to Albanese, Australia will only move when recognition could realistically help both Palestinians and Israelis live side by side in peace. It’s about whether this step would push things forward — “not just provoke more conflict or division”.
He’s made it clear: “Such a declaration can only be made once. [I’m] aiming for a time that best contributes to a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.”
What are the requirements for Albanese to recognise Palestine as a state?
Albanese and his cabinet have now laid out the clearest set of requirements yet:
- The Palestinian Authority must be genuinely democratic and not run by Hamas, which Australia has listed as a terrorist organisation. Albanese emphasised, “Hamas can have no role in a future Palestinian state.”
- Israel’s security must be guaranteed. As Albanese put it, “Australia will not endorse any arrangement that leaves Israel vulnerable.”
- The release of hostages and a sustained ceasefire are seen as pre-conditions for moving forward.
- There must be international confidence that Australian recognition will contribute meaningfully toward peace.
The government position, echoed by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, is that recognition is “a question of when, not if… But I prefer not to specify a timeline”.
Why did Albanese’s tone on Gaza change?
In July 2025, Albanese made his strongest criticism yet of Israel’s actions in Gaza. These words have shaped the political mood — and made his government’s hesitation stand out all the more.
“Gaza is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel’s denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored. Every effort must be made here and now to safeguard innocent life and end the suffering and starvation of the people of Gaza,” his statement read.
He called the situation “beyond the world’s worst fears” and made it clear that every innocent life matters: “Every Israeli. Every Palestinian.”
These comments, rare in their clarity, have been seen as a signal that Australia may be heading towards a policy shift — at least in sentiment. But so far, the change has been in words, not action.
What are other countries doing?
Albanese’s careful approach is starting to look out of step internationally. France and the United Kingdom have each committed to recognising Palestine by September at the UN General Assembly if Israel does not move towards peace. Countries like Ireland, Norway and Spain have already recognised Palestine as its own state.
As UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said just days ago, “The UK will recognise the state of Palestine by September unless Israel takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term sustainable peace reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.”
This leaves Australia facing increasing pressure — from allies abroad and campaigners at home — to act decisively and quickly.
Why is the pressure on Australia so great right now?
The scale of suffering in Gaza has reached a tragically historic peak. The United Nations and major food agencies confirm a “worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out”.
Israeli and Palestinian human rights organisations have both labelled the situation “genocide” with tens of thousands dead and warnings that “formal famine declarations always lag reality”, as David Miliband, head of the International Rescue Committee aid group, said in a statement.
Protests are intensifying across Australia, with calls from Labor MPs and supporters for Albanese to act now — not after the next round of peace talks or conference statements.
Recognition would allow Australia to formally open diplomatic relations with a future Palestinian state, establish embassies, provide development support and back legal claims in international forums.
On the ground, aid experts and human rights groups point out it won’t end famine or occupation overnight. But it would send a clear political message, boost the legitimacy of Palestinian leaders, and increase global support for a ceasefire.
Where does that leave Albanese?
Here’s the reality: Albanese says he will only recognise Palestine when there’s a reformed, non-Hamas Palestinian leadership, secure borders for Israel, a release of hostages, a genuine move towards peace, and confidence that the action will do more than make a statement. In his words, it’s about “more than a gesture”.
Meanwhile, other countries are acting, and the situation on the ground grows more dire every day. Increasingly, what counts as “enough” from Canberra is being challenged — not just by protesters, but by leaders around the world demanding Australia step up, and soon.
Lead image: Getty / AP News
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