Queensland Labor backs legal warnings for IDF volunteers

Grassroots members at the Queensland Labor conference this weekend have passed a motion calling on the Albanese Government to issue explicit legal notices to Australian citizens serving in the Israel Defence Forces.

The motion was moved by Wendy Turner, the convenor of Labor Friends of Palestine and was passed with overwhelming support across all three state factions. . According to reporting in The Australian, Ms Turner opened her speech by saying Labor condemned the horrors of the October 7 attacks before outlining the full scope of her proposal.

The motion called for the federal government to issue immediate legal notices to Australians serving in the IDF during operations that may constitute war crimes or genocide. It warned that such actions could expose individuals to criminal liability under Australian and international law.

The motion also urged the government to ensure investigations and prosecutions are mandatory where credible allegations of complicity in international crimes exist. It cited the 2024 International Court of Justice ruling on state obligations to prevent genocide.

Delegates also backed further measures, including a comprehensive two-way arms embargo on Israel and a full review of Australia’s political, cultural, educational, economic and military ties with Israel. The motion asked Canberra to take steps to ensure no Australian individuals or entities provide assistance to what it described as unlawful settlement, occupation or genocide.

Similar motions on Israel have gained support in other Labor branches, although state conference positions do not bind the federal government.

The Prime Minister has previously said that foreign policy will continue to be set by the federal government in line with national interest and established legal advice. No official response has yet been issued to the Queensland conference vote.