Opposing Apartheid, Unlawful Detention and Torture in Palestine
Australian Labor Party Victorian Branch – June 2026 Resolution
State Conference resolves that the federal Labor government should:
- Use all available means to campaign for an end to Israel’s illegal occupation and of the above practices and take the legal steps to hold those responsible accountable.
- Fully implement the actions of the 2025 State Conference urgency resolutions Equality, Respect and Democratic Rights for All People, Justice for Palestine and Aid and Support for Palestinians, including:
- comprehensive sanctions against executive members of the Netanyahu Government;
- ending all direct or indirect Australian export or trade of arms, military components or materiel to Israel;
- review of all relations to ensure that no Australian entities are providing aid or assistance to Israel in the commission of unlawful acts.
Moved: Tony Mavromatis – AMWU
Seconded: Paul Healey – HACSU
Background
State Conference condemns recent escalations by Israel of apartheid practices, unlawful detention, torture and settlement activities. These include the:
- Unlawful detention of an all-time high number of Palestinians;
- Introduction of capital punishment in Israeli military courts;
- Transfer of governance powers in the illegally-occupied West Bank to Israeli civilian administration;
- Approval of fifty-three illegal settlements, including the expansion of existing settlements and the formalisation of those previously not authorised by Israeli law, and the displacement of 40,000 Palestinians in the West Bank;
- The intensification of “a de facto State policy of organized and widespread torture and ill-treatment” according to the UN Committee against Torture, including reports of the use of beatings, sexual violence, dog attacks, waterboarding and electrocution.
State Conference recognises the need for immediate action to address these crimes.
Free Palestinian Leader Marwan Barghouti
Australian Labor Party Victorian Branch Conference – June 2026 Resolution
That State Conference resolves that it:
- Condemn the amendment to Israel’s Penal Law, ‘Death Penalty for Terrorists’, and call for its immediate repeal.
- Condemn the trial and imprisonment of Marwan Barghouti as being in contravention of international law.
- Call on the Victorian Labor Government to support campaigns advocating for Barghouti’s release through appropriate resourcing and assistance.
- Urge the Australian Labor Government to advocate to the Israeli Government and President Isaac Herzog for the pardon and release of Marwan Barghouti.
- Call on the Australian Labor Government to provide appropriate legal and diplomatic support to Marwan Barghouti and his family.
- Support the nomination of Marwan Barghouti for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his leadership and commitment to peace, dialogue and reconciliation.
- Call on the ALP National Conference to adopt resolutions and platform amendments supporting the release of Marwan Barghouti and other political prisoners.
Moved: Tony Mavromatis – AMWU
Seconded: Tony Piccolo – AMWU
Background
Labor Victoria is outraged by the ongoing imprisonment of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti by the Israeli government for over two decades. Recognised widely as “Palestine’s Mandela,” Barghouti is regarded as Palestine’s most popular political figure and a unifying leader with the potential to guide a future Palestinian state.
Iran War
Australian Labor Party Victorian Branch Conference – June 2026 Resolution
That State Conference resolves that we call on the Commonwealth Government to adhere to the ALP National Constitution commitment to the recognition of the right of all nations to self-determination and independence and to resolve international conflicts through the UN.
State Conference strongly condemns the heavy losses of civilian life as a result of the war with Iran and the conflict in the Middle East, acknowledging the US and Israel going to war was not authorised by the United Nations. State Conference calls on all parties to respect international law and to agree a permanent ceasefire.
State Conference calls on the Commonwealth Government to withhold military support or involvement in foreign military conflicts that breach the principles of the UN Charter.
Moved: Hamish McPherson – Indi
Seconded: David Cannavo – Scullin
Background
The US and Israeli war on Iran was launched unilaterally. Massive bombardment of military and civilian targets has caused thousands of civilian deaths. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the war violates the UN Charter.
The Australian Government publicly supported the US acting against Iran.
Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, an RAAF surveillance aircraft and missiles have been deployed to the United Arab Emirates.
Three ADF members were serving on the US nuclear submarine that torpedoed and sank the Iranian frigate Dena near Sri Lanka, as part of the AUKUS training program.
Pine Gap and other joint facilities provide intelligence data for active US military operations across Asia.
The Iran war has emboldened Israel to expand its illegal settlements and land annexation in the West Bank and to invade Lebanon. Israel must withdraw from Lebanon and end its occupation of the Palestinian Territories for genuine peace to be achieved.
Iran
Australian Labor Party Victorian Branch – June 2026 Resolution
State Conference supports the struggle of the Iranian people to achieve democratic change and human rights.
Iran (Motion Defeated)
Australian Labor Party Victorian Branch Conference – June 2026
State Conference strongly condemns the Iranian people for its egregious human rights violations, including the systemic suppression of peaceful dissent and the continued use of impending executions as a till of political repression. We call for an immediate halt to all executions and the release of political prisoners.
