Former Labor MP accuses Josh Burns of acting as ‘human shield for Penny Wong’

A former Labor MP has accused current federal MP Josh Burns of serving as a “human shield” for Foreign Minister Penny Wong, following criticism of the Labor Party's draft policy platform on Israel and Palestine. The controversy emerged as tensions flared among former allies within the party ahead of its national conference, held in Adelaide earlier this week. At the heart of the dispute is the removal of a specific call for Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization, to disarm from the proposed policy document. The Labor Party aimed to project unity on the sensitive topic by having two Melbourne-based MPs, Josh Burns, who identifies as Jewish, and Basem Abdo, whose parents are Palestinian refugees, jointly present the Israel/Palestine section of the platform during the final day of the conference. However, the revised wording of the platform, which appears more critical of Israel and less demanding of the Palestinian side, has drawn sharp criticism from key figures within the Jewish community. Peter Wertheim, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, expressed disappointment with the draft platform, stating it lacks balance and fails to align with the government’s official stances. Wertheim, a long-time associate of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, criticized the document for perpetuating a “one-eyed obsession with blaming Israel.” He questioned why the ALP national conference did not explicitly endorse the government’s position on excluding Hamas and insisting that the Palestinian Authority honor commitments tied to governance reforms before recognizing a Palestinian state. Wertheim noted that both Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have consistently maintained that Hamas should play no role in Gaza’s future. He pointed to Hamas’s recent announcement of transferring its government functions to a U.S.-backed technocratic committee as evidence that the group itself acknowledges the need for change. Yet, he argued, the ALP National Conference seemed reluctant to fully recognize this shift, settling instead for a vague reference to Hamas as a terrorist group. Wertheim also highlighted that the platform overlooked the government’s insistence that recognition of Palestinian statehood hinges on the Palestinian Authority committing to reforms such as terminating payments to families of Palestinian prisoners, implementing education reforms, and holding general elections. These conditions were central to the government’s rationale for recognizing a Palestinian state. The rift came to a head when former Labor MP Michael Danby launched a public rebuke of Burns, accusing him of shielding Penny Wong from scrutiny over the platform’s content. Danby, who once worked closely with Burns, expressed shock that his successor would support the current version of the policy, which he claimed diverges from the promises made by Prime Minister Albanese. He urged Burns to reconsider his involvement unless the platform is rewritten to reflect the original positions on Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. The dispute underscores deep divisions within the Labor Party on how to address the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While some members advocate for a firm stance against Hamas, others emphasize the need for balanced policies that consider both sides of the conflict. The situation has added further complexity to an already tense political environment, particularly as the party prepares for upcoming elections. Wertheim and Albanese share a history dating back two decades, when Albanese opposed the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement against Israel. Their relationship has remained strong, with Albanese frequently seeking Wertheim’s counsel on issues affecting the Jewish community. This connection adds weight to Wertheim’s criticisms of the draft platform, suggesting that the government’s positions on the Middle East may not be adequately reflected in the party’s internal documents. Albanese previously reiterated at the United Nations General Assembly that Hamas must have no role in Palestine’s future, emphasizing that Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state depends on the Palestinian Authority meeting certain conditions. His remarks highlight the tension between international diplomatic expectations and domestic political realities within the Labor Party. As the national conference concluded, the debate over the platform’s wording continues to simmer. With the party facing pressure from multiple factions, the outcome of this internal struggle could influence not only its policy direction but also its broader electoral prospects. The situation remains fluid, with no immediate resolution in sight.