Labor ‘ignored warning over UN’

Australia “ignored warnings” about the involvement of United Nations aid workers in Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel and should not restore funding until concerns are alleviated, the Coalition has claimed.

On the weekend, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong confirmed Australia would join the US, the UK and others in pausing funding for the agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) amid an investigation into Israel’s claims 12 employees were involved in the attacks.

In announcing the decision on Saturday, Senator Wong said Australia was deeply concerned about the allegations but recognised the “vital, lifesaving work” the agency had performed in Gaza.

“Australia will continue to support the people of Gaza and work to provide humanitarian assistance. We reiterate our calls for civilians to be protected and for humanitarian access,” she said.

The UN has called on the member states to resume funding, but at home, Coalition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said Labor had let Australians down by not acting sooner.

“The Albanese government has questions to answer over why they ignored warnings from the Australian Jewish community and others that were provided last year about the potential involvement of UNRWA staff,” Senator Birmingham said.

“Not only did they ignore those warnings, but in fact they increased funding to UNRWA following the receipt of those warnings, rather than looking for absolutely fail-safe mechanisms to provide the humanitarian assistance that of course people in Gaza need and deserve for innocent civilians.”

Reports emerged on Monday that Senator Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had been issued a written warning by Jewish leaders last month to halt funding because of “mounting evidence” workers were involved in the attacks.

Just a few weeks later, Australia increased its commitment to the agency by $6m.