Penny Wong will touch down back in Australia following a week-long visit to the Middle East, as the government comes under fire over its designation of attacks by Hamas.
The foreign minister arrives home on Jan. 20 after several days of talks with counterparts in Jordan, Israel, Palestine and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The final round of talks saw her meet with UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on ways to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a path to ceasefire.
“We discussed averting regional escalation and supporting a political process that meets Israel’s security needs and Palestinian aspirations for statehood,” Ms. Wong said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
“The UAE is a key partner for Australia in the region. We co-operate across a broad range of sectors and Australia welcomes expanding ties, including the commencement of trade agreement negotiations.”
During the visit to the Middle East, Senator Wong outlined an additional $21.5 million (US$14 million) in humanitarian aid for the region, focusing on relief efforts for those affected by settler violence in Gaza, as well as the growing number of refugees in Jordan and Lebanon.
On Jan. 19, a live export ship from Australia was diverted away from the Red Sea due to the worsening security situation in the major shipping route, the federal agriculture department said.
The MV Bahijah left Fremantle on Jan. 5 with sheep and cattle bound for the Middle East with approval of the department, which is now set to review contingency options.
“The department is monitoring the consignment closely and no significant animal health or welfare concerns have been reported at this time,” the department said in a statement.
Houthi militants backed by Iran have launched attacks on vessels in the Red Sea in support of Palestine, with the the United States and United Kingdom then launching strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen.
It comes as the federal government is criticised by the opposition for not formally listing Hamas’ initial assault as a terrorist act.
Violence in the Gaza Strip escalated after Hamas, designated a terrorist group by Australia, attacked Israel on Oct. 7.
More than 1200 Israelis were killed and 240 were taken hostage, according to Tel Aviv officials.
In response, Israel’s bombardment, blockade and ground invasion of Gaza has killed more than 24,000 Palestinians, put half the territory’s 2.3 million residents at risk of starvation and left more than 60 percent without homes, according to local health officials and the United Nations.
Without the declaration, Australians impacted by the attack are ineligible for the Victim of Terrorism Overseas Payment.
The government scheme provides a one-off payment for Australians harmed or who have lost a family member due to a declared overseas terrorist act.
It’s been implemented for events like the Sep. 11 attacks, the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings and 2020 stabbings in the Maldives.
Opposition spokesman Andrew Hastie said the lack of a listing was concerning.
“I would have thought the bureaucracy should have been all over this and they’re not, and the government hasn’t been leading, so I’m not surprised the bureaucracy is dragging its feet,” Mr. Hastie told Sky News.
“Oct. 7 was a clear-cut, terrorist incident and Hamas is a listed terrorist organisation. The parliament passed a joint motion condemning this as a terrorist act. There are Australians who are affected.”
