The Victorian Labor Party has taken a significant stand by voting to act against “military occupation, siege and genocide” in Palestine and to suspend Australia’s involvement in the AUKUS defence agreement. The motions, passed during the party’s state conference held at the Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, reflect growing tensions regarding international policy within the Labor movement.
Grassroots Motions Highlight Policy Divisions
While the resolutions are non-binding for state and federal governments, they underscore a rift among party members on foreign policy issues. Two motions related to AUKUS called for an inquiry into the defence agreement, the suspension of Australia’s participation, and a federal review of its ongoing involvement.
The vote to take a stance on Palestine received robust support, culminating in a standing ovation from attendees. Despite attempts to alter the wording of the motion, it passed with a clear majority. The resolution demands the immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, comprehensive sanctions against members of Israel’s Netanyahu government, and increased transparency and tracking of military trade.
A similar resolution addressing the situation in Palestine was approved at the state conference in 2024, following the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent military actions in Gaza. The Labor Party’s official platform endorses Palestinian statehood; however, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not specified a timeline for implementation, recently stating that it is not imminent.
Protests and Party Dynamics
During the conference, tensions regarding Middle Eastern policy were apparent when a small group of members held a silent protest against Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, displaying images of Palestinian flags on their devices. Mr. Marles acknowledged the party’s recent electoral success while Ms. Jacinta Allan, Premier of Victoria, focused her address on the upcoming state election in 2026 and promoted her new initiative to legalize the right to work from home.
High-profile federal representatives, including Clare O’Neil (Housing Minister), Catherine King (Transport Minister), and Andrew Giles (Skills Minister), attended the event alongside state officials and union leaders. Outside the venue, a coalition of activists demonstrated against what they termed the “genocide in Gaza,” as well as the forced administration of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and proposed state protest laws.
Security measures were heightened for the event due to a breach during the 2024 conference, where pro-Palestine protesters disrupted proceedings. Attendees this year were required to show tickets multiple times, and tarps were used to shield the event from public view. The previous security incident had led to a lockdown of the conference floor, delaying speeches from Mr. Albanese and Ms. Allan.
Notably, Mr. Albanese did not attend the conference in person this year, opting instead to participate in the Garma Festival located in the remote Arnhem Land region of the Northern Territory.
As these developments unfold, they spotlight the internal challenges that the Labor Party faces regarding its stance on international issues, particularly those connected to the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Australia’s role in global defense agreements.
