Australian news and politics live: Netanyahu slams Australia as ‘shameful’ for supporting Palestinian state

Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Matt Thistlethwaite, has been forced to defend the Government’s stance on Israel’s presence in Gaza, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the position as “shameful”.

“We certainly recognise Israel’s right to exist, but we also want peace. I think that the world has been shocked by the images of children starving to death and that they’ve had enough,” he told Sky News.

While Mr Thistlethwaite said the Albanese Government wants to have a “good relationship” with Mr Netanyahu, he reiterated they were “going to stand up for the values upon which Australian society is based, and those are fairness and ensuring that people are fed and that children could live their lives”.

“Tens of thousands of Israelis marched in the streets and protested on the weekend against their Government. They’re saying enough is enough; that the starvation, the continued holding of hostages by Hamas, has to stop,” he added.

“The only way to work towards that is to work towards a ceasefire that involves the release of those hostages and (to) take this opportunity to permanently try and resolve this issue.”

President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, Jeremy Leibler, has expressed strong concern over reports that the Albanese Government is poised to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

“We are deeply concerned that the timing and substance of this policy reversal will embolden Hamas, further jeopardise the lives of Israeli hostages, prolong the war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and place more strain on the longstanding alliance between Australia and Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East,” he said.

Mr Leibler’s comments follow those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who singled out Australia and other European nations for signalling they could formally recognise Palestinian statehood during a United Nations General Assembly in September.

Mr Netanyahu warned recognition of Palestine would not bring about peace in the Middle East.

Environment Minister Murray Watt has apologised to South Australians who believe not enough has been done to tackle the algal bloom crisis that’s killing vast swathes of marine life.

Tens of thousands of marine animals have been killed since an algal bloom was identified off the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia in March, and has since spread along the coastline.

“I accept that South Australians think that Governments were too slow to respond to this event, and for that, I apologise,” Mr Watt told ABC News Breakfast on Monday morning.

“We are in uncharted waters as to how to deal with it and what support is needed. But when the South Australian Government made its request of us, we turned that around within 24 hours.”

He also touted the Government’s recently announced jointly funded $28 million package.

“We’ve provided half of a $28 million funding package to support the businesses who are being affected, to undertake more science and research and to make the community aware of the event and what the consequences are, and also to clean up the beaches.”

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Australia is set to announce formal recognition of a Palestinian state imminently.

According to reports by the Age and Sydney Morning Herald it could happen as soon as today.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have been leading the government’s response to the escalating crisis in Gaza, with cabinet expected to consider final approval during a meeting.

This move follows similar accelerated recognition plans by allies including the United Kingdom, Canada, and France, who see the step as a diplomatic tool aimed at addressing the humanitarian catastrophe and encouraging peace in the region.

It comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s harsh condemnation of Australia’s position, which he called “shameful,” accusing Canberra and European countries of embracing an “absurdity” that fuels conflict rather than resolving it.

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Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says “it’s no secret” that declining numbers of petrol and diesel vehicles are eroding fuel excise revenue, leaving less money to build and maintain Australia’s roads.

Her comments come as industry and government leaders meet to discuss a possible road user charge for electric vehicle (EV) drivers ahead of the Albanese government’s economic reform roundtable next week.

While stressing that any charge on EVs wouldn’t be “happening tomorrow,” Ms Plibersek said it was important to consider long-term measures to secure road funding.

“I do think it’s sensible to look long-term for the states and territories at what they do to make sure that there’s enough money to build the roads that people want to drive on and to make sure they’re maintained as well,” she told Sunrise.

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce was speaking alongside Ms Plibersek and said: “I have a sense there’s a lot of EVs in Tanya’s electorate, so she doesn’t want to jump right in there, got to be careful about that.”

And on whether EV drivers should pay their share: “They definitely should, 100% they should,” he said.

Liberal senator Jane Hume says she can “understand Israel’s disappointment” after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labelled Australia’s support for Palestinian statehood “shameful” during remarks at the United Nations Security Council on Sunday.

“I could understand Israel’s disappointment in the response of the Australian government, a reliable ally for so many years,” Ms Hume told Sky News on Monday morning.

“If Hamas would agree to return those hostages to allow safe passage of aid into Gaza and to demilitarise, well then the peace process can begin. But until that happens, the two states solution is impossible because everyone will continue to be under threat.”

Markets are almost certain the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut interest rates at its August meeting despite the board facing an increasingly uncertain environment.

Benign quarterly inflation figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in July should convince the board to cut the cash rate in a two-day meeting that starts on Monday, AMP deputy chief economist Diana Mousina said.

In fact, a cut of 25 basis points to 3.6 per cent should have happened already, Ms Mousina said.

Mortgage holders will be hoping lighting doesn’t strike twice after the central bank’s board voted in a 6-3 decision to leave rates on hold in July, despite markets pricing in a near-certain chance of a cut.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticised Australia for its growing support toward recognising a Palestinian state, branding the move “shameful.”

Speaking during a press conference following the approval of a new Gaza offensive plan, Mr Netanyahu dismissed the idea as a “canard” and expressed disappointment that Australia and some European countries would support what he sees as a false narrative that giving Palestinians a state would bring peace.

“To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole, just like that. And buy this canard, it is disappointing. And I think it’s actually shameful, but it’s not going to change our position,” he said.d

Despite this, Mr Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s firm stance, saying the recognition push “is not going to change our position.”

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