Australia to Recognise Palestinian State at UN in September: PM Albanese

Wellington, Aug 2025 – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday that Australia will formally recognise a Palestinian state, joining France, Britain, and Canada in signalling similar moves.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Albanese said the decision will be formalised at the United Nations General Assembly in September. He emphasised that the recognition is based on commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including excluding Hamas from government, the demilitarisation of Gaza, and holding democratic elections.

The announcement follows growing pressure from within his Cabinet and across Australia amid mounting concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where suffering and starvation have drawn international condemnation.

Australia’s government has also criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recently announced plans for a new large-scale military offensive in Gaza.

“A two-state solution remains humanity’s best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East,” Albanese said, adding that such recognition could help end the ongoing conflict and humanitarian disaster.

With this move, Australia aims to align itself with a growing number of nations calling for diplomatic pathways to peace and long-term stability in the region.