A fight over nuclear submarines and Palestinian statehood will engulf the Labor Party as delegates go head to head at its primary policy conference.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong will lead Friday’s debate about recognising Palestine as a state, something which is already party policy but has no timeline attached.
Australian Palestine Advocacy Network vice president Nasser Mashni told Labor delegates recognition was “the least we can do”.
“Recognising Palestine uplifts the community and empowers them to take their place in this beautiful multicultural country and allows them to sit as equals with every other immigrant community,” he said on the sidelines of the national conference.
Labor senator Anne Urquhart said the government had “a long way to go in terms of being able to have the frank discussion” to enact its policy due, in part, to pro-Israel elements within the party.
“We have hurdles to overcome within our own caucus,” she said.
While successful motions moved by Labor delegates become binding party policy, it remains up to the parliamentary wing to determine how and when they are implemented.
Labor senator Louise Pratt said while she didn’t see any roadblocks to recognising Palestinian statehood, “it will provoke a reaction that then has to be managed”.
“I’m presuming we are just moving cautiously,” she said.
Read the article by The New Daily.