Australia to recognise Palestine next month - as New Zealand reveals plans to do the same

The PM added that he had made the decision after consulting the UK, New Zealand, Japan and Israel.

The discussions with the Israelis were “civil”, he said.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters revealed that his country was also considering recognition of a Palestinian state.

Peters said Kiwi PM Christopher Luxon's Cabinet would make a formal decision in September and present the Government's approach at the UN Leaders' Week.

Albanese, who made the announcement after holding a cabinet meeting, stated that the recognition of a Palestinian state will be predicated on commitments that Australia received from the Palestinian Authority.

One commitment included assurance that Hamas would have no role to play in any future Palestinian state.

Albanese has now aligned Australia with the UK and Canada, both of which have pledged to recognise a Palestinian state depending on certain "conditions" at the UN next month.

Speaking about the possibility of New Zealand following suit, Peters said: "We intend to weigh up the issue carefully and then act according to New Zealand’s principles, values and national interest," Peters said in a statement.

“New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if," Peters added.

Albanese added that he expressed concerns surrounding the expansion of Israel's military offensive in Gaza on a phone call with Benjamin Netanyahu.

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The PM and Australian Labour leader noted that he would like elections to be held in a Palestinian state as soon as possible.

He said: "I do want to make this point. Hamas is not just an enemy of Israelis. It's an enemy of the Palestinian people as well.

"And their actions, including during the current conflict where opposition with Hamas has been met with brutality, is recognised not just by Israel but by the international community."

Penny Wong added that Australia is supportive of Donald Trump's work to obtain a ceasefire for hostage release.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) have criticised the Government's decision to recognise Palestine.

President of the ECAJ, Daniel Aghion, said: "It says nothing about what will happen if those conditions are not met.

"For this reason, we feel that the course of action announced by the government is a betrayal and abandonment of the Israeli hostages who continue to languish in appalling conditions in Gaza without even access to the Red Cross.

"It leaves Hamas armed and in control of territory, and in a position to regroup and rearm, thereby creating the conditions for the next war rather than a comprehensive peace."