Ed Husic pleads for Australian voters not to punish Labor over Gaza war as fears of election backlash grow

Industry Minster Ed Husic has appealed to voters, asking them to consider the government’s progress on Palestinian sovereignty amid fears of a protest ballot over the war in Gaza in the Federal election.

Australia, like many western countries, has faced a rising wave of public anger, particularly among diaspora communities, over the international community’s response to Israel’s destruction of the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack.

In July, a new grassroots political movement called the Muslim Vote said it would try to topple at least three Labor ministers by fielding independent targets in their seats.

Asked if he expected an electoral backlash over the response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, Mr Husic conceded that some people had “taken a particularly strong view” about whether Australia or the rest of the world “have reacted as strongly as they could” to the loss of so many “innocent lives,” in particular mothers and children.

While a “mix of different issues” would be at play when people go to the ballot box, the war in the Middle East would “for some people, be a big issue,” he said.

But he urged voters to take a favourable view of the government’s advocacy work with the United Nations and wider international community, particularly around the question of a ceasefire in Gaza and “the most recent efforts we’ve made in terms of Palestinian sovereignty.”

In November, the Albanese Government shifted its position in the UN to back the ‘permanent sovereignty’ of Palestinians over natural resources – an issue on which it had previously abstained in 2011.

The US and Canada voted against the resolution, while the UK and New Zealand were among more than 155 UN members to support it.

Australia over the past year has joined the majority of members of the international community in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

In November, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australians were “understandably traumatised” by Hamas’ October 7 atrocities as well as the humanitarian impact of Israel’s response in Gaza.

“There is a big difference between Australia wanting to end this war and being able to do it on our own,” she said.

“Our only hope is in being active in the international community. As long as this war goes on, we will keep partnering to deliver aid, uphold international law and drive towards peace.”

But in a bumper global election year, politicians around the world have been keeping a close eye on the impact of the Gaza war on public opinion, particularly in areas where there are large Arab diaspora communities.

“I think people can see through the volume of work that we have done as a government, particularly in the last 12 months,” said Mr Husic.

“We are trying to make sure that Australia’s voice is heard in the international arena on this issue.”