Victorian shadow minister says Hamas praise for PM is “shocking”
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday evening, David Davis MP, accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being “praised by Hamas” and warned that Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state will inflame tensions in one of the country’s largest Jewish population centres.
Speaking in the Victorian Legislative Council during an adjournment debate, Davis, who is Victoria’s Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources, called for “a clear statement from the Victorian government, not a statement welcoming the move to laud Hamas and recognise a Palestinian state”. He said the Prime Minister’s decision would undermine community harmony in his electorate of Southern Metropolitan, which includes suburbs such as Caulfield, Elsternwick, Ripponlea, St Kilda East and Balaclava – areas with some of Melbourne’s largest and most established Jewish communities.
Quoting from an article in The Age, Davis said, “listed terror group Hamas has applauded the Albanese government’s decision to recognise Palestine, arguing the move by Australia and other Western governments has vindicated its shock October 7 attacks on Israel and commitment to armed resistance.” He told the chamber, “I am not sure that I would want Hamas praising me, but it seems they are praising the Prime Minister, Mr Albanese, and I think this is of great concern.”
Davis also cited remarks attributed to senior Hamas official Sheikh Hassan Yousef, who reportedly said, “yes, we believe that the escalation of armed resistance, including the operations carried out on October 7, has significantly contributed to highlighting the suffering of the Palestinian people and the injustice they face. Resistance has proven to be an effective means.”
The Shadow Minister described the federal government’s position as “a wild decision” and “a very unfortunate decision that will have serious repercussions inside Victoria and inside Australia”. He accused the State Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ingrid Stitt, of being “very slow” to condemn antisemitic attacks and criticised Premier Jacinta Allan for supporting the recognition of Palestine. “It will not assist community harmony,” he said. “I think it is outrageous that Hamas has been lauded, and I think it is outrageous that the Prime Minister is now in the position where he is being lauded by Hamas. He has been ticked by Hamas. It is shocking.”
Prime Minister Albanese has rejected claims that Hamas supports the recognition, telling Sunrise on Tuesday that “Hamas will be totally opposed to this decision”. He has stressed that Hamas will play no role in any future Palestinian government and that recognition is part of a broader international effort to achieve a two-state solution.
The decision to recognise a Palestinian state is expected to be formalised at the United Nations General Assembly in September. It has been met with strong opposition from Coalition figures and Jewish community leaders, while Hamas’s reported praise has fuelled claims that the move rewards terrorism.
