Albanese calls Labor conference "most transparent political conference" amid Gaza debate controversy

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended his party’s recent national gathering as exceptionally open and unified, following a controversy over whether to adopt stronger criticism of Israeli operations in Gaza. Backbencher Ed Husic, a former cabinet minister, had sought a floor debate that included labeling Palestinian suffering as “genocide,” but factional leaders blocked that discussion during the three-day convention that concluded Saturday. Speaking on ABC’s *Insiders*, Albanese contrasted the Labor event with the closed-door meetings of rival parties. Critics, including opposition spokesman Jonathon Duniam, accused the prime minister of tightly controlling dissent. The approved party platform opposed Israeli annexation and settlement expansion but removed explicit calls for Hamas to disarm, drawing disappointment from pro-Israel groups. Separately, Labor’s national secretary warned that the opposition may form a coalition with the anti-immigration One Nation party, which has led Labor in recent polls.