Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong says U.S. President Donald Trump has “the greatest chance of any political leader” to broker a ceasefire deal in Gaza, just as Australia joined 28 nations condemning Israel for blocking humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Wong acknowledged the central role the United States played, despite its firm backing of Israel, in an interview with Sky News Australia.
Her comments came amid rising global pressure on Tel Aviv, following the deaths of more than 800 Palestinians in recent months—many of them while seeking aid from distribution centres.
Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi took the issue into Parliament holding up a sign that read, “Sanction Israel,” during the governor-general’s speech amid the official opening of the 48th parliament. Protests demanding sanctions on Israel also continued.
Walking Between China-US Relations
Asked whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was walking a tightrope between Beijing and Washington, Wong said, “I think diplomacy is often a tightrope.”
She said the government’s approach would focus on advancing Australia’s interests “in all circumstances,” adding, “That has to be the job of Prime Minister Albanese. That has to be my job.”
Wong acknowledged that while the United States remained Australia’s principal strategic and investment partner, while China was the largest trading destination.
“We will continue to work with the United States in terms of our closer military arrangements … just as we have always done,” she said.
Describing Australia’s approach to Beijing, she reiterated, “Cooperate where we can, disagree where we must, and engage in the national interest.”
Asked where Australia disagrees with China, she cited human rights and international law, particularly the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“China seeks to become a predominant power in our region. Australia wants a balance where no country dominates, and no country is dominated,” she said.
Wong also rejected claims of hypocrisy for criticising the former Coalition government’s strained relationship with China while Albanese struggles to secure direct contact with U.S. President Trump.
“They always seek to create domestic politics in circumstances where you really need to be adult and mature and navigate a diplomatic relationship,” she said.
