Frontbencher Katy Gallagher has defended the government’s reaction to extraordinary pronouncements by United States President Donald Trump that he would seek to turn Gaza into the “Riviera” of the Middle East.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have both been anxious to avoid making any comments that could be interpreted as criticism by the Trump administration and draw unwanted attention to Australia.
Australia is still hoping to dodge promised tariffs on imports to the US, and secure support from the president for the AUKUS nuclear submarines deal.
Mr Albanese’s response to repeated questions about Mr Trump’s statement, which could mean the displacement of more than 2 million Palestinians, has been to simply restate that Australia “will continue to take our position” to seek a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
“I’m not going to, as Australia’s prime minister, give a daily commentary on statements by the US president,” Mr Albanese said on Wednesday.
Pressed on ABC Insiders this morning on whether the government feared upsetting Mr Trump, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher hinted that Australia’s national interests required keeping the US onside.
“We’ll always make our decisions based on Australia’s national interest. Obviously, it’s an important strategic — America is an important strategic partner,” Senator Gallagher said.
“We will navigate the relationship and President Trump’s presidency in accordance with those principles.”
Senator Gallagher however said the federal government had made clear that its position was for a two-state solution, and that the conflict in the Middle East be resolved “as soon as possible and peacefully, and in accordance with international law”.
“If you’re talking forced displacement … that is not consistent with international law. So our position is and has been very clear and consistent and remains consistent; and it’s a bipartisan position in this country.”
The government’s response drew criticism from the Greens and ex-Labor senator Fatima Payman, who accused her former party of “doing absolutely nothing” and suggested the US was no longer the “best country” to protect Australia.
Jewish and Islamic community groups in Australia have condemned Mr Trump’s comments, with one of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry heads describing it as “loopy” and saying that “no-one” favours the permanent removal of Palestinians from Gaza.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton praised Mr Trump after his proposal to “level” Gaza as a “big thinker and a deal maker”, before restating the Coalition’s support for a two-state solution.
