Prime Minister Scott Morrison decided to announce a major potential pivot in Middle East policy without taking the idea to cabinet or seeking advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Mr Morrison also made the swift decision to consider shifting the Australian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem without consulting Defence or his own Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The unusual chain of events has been laid bare during several days of Senate estimates hearings.
Mr Morrison also confirmed Australia was reconsidering its support for the Iran nuclear deal.
The announcement came days before a crucial by-election in the Sydney seat of Wentworth, where about 12.5 per cent of voters are Jewish.
More than a week on, the prime minister is refusing to back down, arguing his government was merely considering the politically-charged issues.
“I don’t resile from that,” Mr Morrison told parliament on Thursday.
He first flagged the planned announcement with Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne over the phone on Sunday October 14, less than 48 hours before going public.
Read the article by Daniel McCulloch in The Islander.