The government’s abject failure of leadership

The persistence of extremism is a demonstration of the importance of leadership – or more importantly, the consequences of the absence of it.

As the dust settles, the Albanese government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state is one of the most perplexing in Australian foreign policy.

Until recently there was bipartisan consensus for a two-state solution based on reasonable preconditions: Israel’s right to exist in safety, an elected government, no role for Hamas and the release of hostages. It was not long ago the Prime Minister said those preconditions had not been met and therefore recognition was premature. Nothing has changed, yet government policy has.

Ninety thousand people marched across the Harbour Bridge and Labor’s policy seemed to march with them. This was politics, not principle.

Whether they were spooked, or made a choice, the government saw a political moment, and the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister grabbed it.