Exclusive: Australian government’s full talking points on Gaza accidentally sent to Palestinian advocacy group
Government notes reveal they won’t back Gaza hospital proposed by Dr Mohammed Mustafa
The federal government’s talking points on Israel-Palestine were mistakenly shared with the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, disclosing its opposition to a proposed children’s hospital in Gaza championed by prominent humanitarian, Dr Mohammed Mustafa.
The talking points – prepared for Labor MPs to respond to constituent emails on the issue and obtained by Deepcut – were sent to APAN in error by a staffer last week and are published in full below.
They include justifications for Australia’s continued export of F-35 fighter jet parts for Israel’s use in the Gaza genocide; responses to demands for Australia to sanction the Israeli government; and lines on why the government does not refer to Israel’s actions in Gaza as a genocide.
“Labor’s talking points, which were inadvertently emailed to us, are significant for what’s not there: a commitment to sanction Israel for their genocide in Gaza,” Katie Shammas, APAN’s Executive Officer, told Deepcut.
“The mistake by a junior staffer who pressed ‘send’ at the wrong time isn’t really the issue. The issue is that these talking points show that Labor has a position which is inconsistent with their legal obligations under the UN Genocide Convention,” she added.
David Shoebridge, the Greens foreign affairs spokesperson, said the talking points revealed the government’s strategy of “hiding their own complicity in a genocide”.
“Labor says ‘genocide’ in internal documents but won’t say it in public or in Parliament,” Shoebridge said.
“Again and again this Government tries to treat genocide as a messaging problem rather than a fundamental matter of human decency and international law.”
Mustafa: government ‘were never listening to me’
Mustafa, a British-Australian emergency physician from Perth, launched a high-profile advocacy tour in June to raise support for a new children’s hospital in Khan Younis. Mustafa’s proposal has secured support from UK foreign secretary David Lammy and the Irish government, as well as former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
In August, the ABC’s Australian Story followed Mustafa as he met with several government figures in Canberra, including the foreign minister, Penny Wong, as well as Anne Aly, to secure the Australian government’s support for the proposed hospital.
While Mustafa was unaware that the government had decided not to support his proposal, he said he was “not shocked”.
“I’m not so much disappointed for myself as I am for the kids,” he told Deepcut. “It doesn’t even cross their minds that these kids need help. I think that’s the bit that’s the most concerning.”
The proposed hospital would be developed in partnership with Pious Projects, a US-based NGO which opened a neonatal and maternity field hospital in Khan Younis last year with support from the Jordanian government.
“According to these talking points, they don’t even understand what I’m trying to do,” Mustafa says. “It says to me that either they were never listening to me, or that they never cared in the first place – that they were always going to dismiss this hospital and an opportunity to help children in Gaza, and they’re purposely being misleading as an excuse.”
“I hope I’m wrong, and that this leak is a mistake, I also hope this can be used as a moment to bring the Palestinian community to openly talk to the government about their views and how the government can help, especially now we have a period of more calm in Gaza during this very fragile ceasefire.”
Incorrect PANZMA reference a ‘cop-out’
The leaked talking points mention the Palestinian Australia New Zealand Medical Association (PANZMA) – a nonprofit that provides medical assistance to Palestinian hospitals and healthcare workers – as justification for rejecting the hospital project.
“The Australian Government’s funding agreements with partners contain strict requirements designed to assist Australia in meeting its counter-terrorism financing, anti-money laundering, anti-fraud, and anti-corruption obligations,” the talking points state.
“Extensive due diligence is conducted on these partners to provide these assurances. PANZMA is not currently registered with the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) nor accredited to DFAT. Accreditation is a comprehensive process designed to ensure the appropriate use of tax-payer funds.”
Mustafa says the government’s citing PANZMA is “completely incorrect” and a “cop-out”.
“There’s never been any point where PANZMA was involved with this project,” Mustafa says. “I’ve said over and over that we don’t want money from the government. We gave the government a viable option to partner with an NGO and provide in-principle support.”
A PANZMA representative confirmed to Deepcut that the organisation has never been involved with Mustafa’s Gaza hospital project. Wong’s office did not respond to questions.
The full talking points revealed:
Thank you for writing to XXXX about the situation in Gaza.
Australians are understandably distressed by the ongoing violence, including the deaths of so many innocent civilians. As the Prime Minister has said, the situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world’s worst fears.
On our own, Australia has few ways to move the dial in the Middle East. That’s why we have been so focused on partnering with other countries that also want to end this war, deliver lifesaving aid, secure the release of hostages and work towards a two-state solution. It’s only by being active in the international community that we can build momentum for peace. To offer you some understanding of how we are addressing the crisis in Gaza I am sharing the Federal Government’s actions to date.
Ceasefire
For more than 18 months, Australia has been a part of the international push for a ceasefire in Gaza and opposed Israel’s expansion of military operations.
Most recently, on 9 August, Australia and eight countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and France, released a joint statement rejecting the Israeli Security Cabinet’s decision to launch an additional large-scale military operation in Gaza, which will only worsen the humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of hostages and risks further mass displacement. We urged the parties and the international community to make all efforts to finally bring this terrible conflict to an end now, through an immediate and permanent ceasefire that enables a massive surge in immediate and unimpeded humanitarian assistance.
With our partners, we remain unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas for its atrocities on 7 October 2023, and its ongoing acts of terror. We condemn their continued detention of the hostages and call for their immediate, unconditional, and dignified release. A ceasefire offers the best hope of bringing them home and ending the agony of their families.
Humanitarian
Civilians in Gaza face a humanitarian catastrophe. Alongside our international partners, including the UK, Canada, and Japan, we have condemned Israel’s denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food. The Prime Minister has made clear this is indefensible, and a breach of international law.
We reiterate our call on Israel to comply immediately with its obligations under international law.
Australia is a part of the international call on Israel to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid to Gaza, in line with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice. The Foreign Minister along with counterparts from the United Kingdom, Japan and others have called on Israel to urgently enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to do their life saving work safely and effectively. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price for the defeat of Hamas.
Australia has committed more than $130 million in humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and Lebanon since October 2023 – too much of which Israel has prevented from reaching vulnerable people. Most recently on 4 August, Australia committed $20 million to support organisations with the scale and capacity to respond quickly to deliver food, medical supplies for field hospitals and other lifesaving support to women and children in Gaza.
After a year-long diplomatic effort to drive global action to protect humanitarian workers in conflict zones, Australia was proud to lead the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel joined by more than 100 countries. The Declaration sets out practicable and actionable measures including: access to communications and equipment to stay safe in conflict zones; improved technology and planning tools; enhanced physical and mental health support for aid workers; new joint training for military personnel and aid workers; funding legal advice for aid workers who are victims of violence; and access to justice for aid workers killed or harmed in the line of duty. Humanitarian workers save lives. This work should never cost them their own.
Recognition/two-state solution
Australia formally recognised the independent and sovereign State of Palestine on Sunday the 21st of September 2025, alongside Canada and the United Kingdom.
In doing so, Australia recognised the legitimate and long held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own.
Recognising Palestine reflects Australia’s longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, which has always been the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and the Palestinian peoples.
Australia is contributing to historic global momentum to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East.
The world is seizing the opportunity presented by new commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including to reform governance, terminate prisoner payments, institute schooling reform, demilitarise and hold general elections.
Alongside these reforms, the Palestinian Authority has also reinforced that Hamas must be disarmed and play no role in the future governance of Gaza – a position endorsed by the Arab League.
The terrorist organisation Hamas must have no role in Palestine - it is a terrorist organisation that continues to damage the prospects of a two-state solution and rejects Israel’s right to exist.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has reaffirmed these commitments directly to the Australian Government. We will work with the international community to support the Palestinian Authority to reform and hold to its commitments.
Together these factors mean that this time is the best opportunity Australia may ever have to support moderate voices for peace in the region, to undermine extremism and to further isolate Hamas.
Further steps to implement Australia’s recognition of Palestine, including the establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of embassies, will be considered as the Palestinian Authority makes progress on its commitments to reform.
Already, crucial work is underway across the international community to develop a credible peace plan that enables the reconstruction of Gaza, builds the capacity of the state of Palestine, and guarantees the security of Israel.
Australia will continue to work with our international partners to help build on our decision to recognise Palestine, and to bring the Middle East closer to the lasting peace and security that is the hope, and the right, of all humanity.
Recognition rewards Hamas – do not use with lines above on recognition
Recognition promotes moderate voices such as the Palestinian Authority who recognise Israel’s right to exist and support a two-state solution – the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel. This is the opposite of what Hamas wants. Hamas does not want peace, and it does not want long term security for the state of Israel nor for the Palestinian people. Hamas is a terrorist organisation that has the explicit intent of the destruction of the state of Israel and the Jewish people. The Palestinian Authority has reinforced that Hamas must be disarmed and play no role in the future governance of Gaza – a position endorsed by the Arab League. Together these factors mean that this may be the best opportunity Australia has to further isolate Hamas.
Genocide
It is Australia’s longstanding position to respect the independence of international courts and tribunals and their role in upholding international law, including on questions relating to genocide.
As the Foreign Minister has said, Israel will be judged on its compliance with the Genocide Convention by the International Court of Justice. The International Court of Justice is currently considering South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention. The Australian Government has been clear that the Netanyahu Government must comply with the binding provisional orders made in 2024 by the Court in that case. This includes ensuring the unhindered provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale, in full cooperation with the UN.
Settlements and annexation
The Netanyahu Government is extinguishing the prospect of a two-state solution by rapidly expanding illegal settlements, threatening annexation in Palestine, and explicitly opposing any Palestinian state. Australia and the international community have condemned these actions and continue to call on Israel to cease its illegal settlement activity and hold perpetrators of settler violence against Palestinians to account.
As the Foreign Minister said on 21 August, along with 29 other Foreign Ministers, the decision by the Israeli Higher Planning Committee to approve plans for settlement construction in the E1 area, East of Jerusalem, is unacceptable and a violation of international law. Australia strongly opposes any steps towards territorial or demographic change in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The E1 settlement plan would divide a Palestinian state in two and critically undermine the two-state solution.
Add-on for questions specifically about ICJ
Australia has been clear that Israel must comply with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice, including to ensure the unhindered provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale in Gaza.
Australia has also been clear that settlement activity is illegal under international law and a significant obstacle to peace and a two-state solution. We have called on Israel to respond substantively to the International Court of Justice advisory opinion, reverse the expansion of settlements and respond to extremist settler activity.
Sanctions/take more action
Australia has sanctioned two senior ministers in the Israeli Government – Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich – for their role in human rights abuses against Palestinians, along with other sanctions on Israeli extremist individuals and organisations. We imposed those sanctions in partnership with the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and others.
We continue to work with the international community to increase pressure on Israel. And we have seen Israel react to that pressure from Australia and others. Consistent with longstanding Australian Government policy, we do not speculate on future sanctions. Applying them without warning – and with partners – is what makes them more effective.
Diplomatic ties
Australia maintains diplomatic relations with countries because it is in our national interest to do so. These channels enable us to put forward Australia’s views; they are not an endorsement of the policies or decisions of another country. 160 countries have diplomatic relations with Israel.
We are using our diplomatic ties to press Israel to remove restrictions on aid, to coordinate consular assistance for Australians and their families wanting to leave Israel or Palestine, and to advocate for a ceasefire.
Defence exports
Australia is part of the international effort to stop this war. Australia has not supplied weapons or ammunition to Israel for at least five years before this conflict started. We maintain a robust and thorough export control regime, under which Defence undertakes a rigorous assessment of each application against a range of legislated criteria, including with respect to human rights and Australia’s international obligations.
F-35 parts
The F-35 relies on a global supply chain – one that is centrally coordinated by Lockheed Martin and the US Government. Australia contributes to this global supply chain because F-35s are a sovereign capability for the Australian Defence Force. We do not have a direct bilateral arrangement with the Israeli Government in relation to F-35s.
Why doesn’t Australia support Dr Mustafa and PANZMA
The Australian Government provides humanitarian assistance through established partners, including UN agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross. These organisations have demonstrated access and capacity to deliver aid into Gaza at the scale required and are ready now with aid prepositioned in the region. This includes support for existing field hospitals in Gaza to provide lifesaving medical services.
The Australian Government’s funding agreements with partners contain strict requirements designed to assist Australia in meeting its counter-terrorism financing, anti-money laundering, anti-fraud, and anti-corruption obligations. Extensive due diligence is conducted on these partners to provide these assurances. PANZMA is not currently registered with the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) nor accredited to DFAT. Accreditation is a comprehensive process designed to ensure the appropriate use of tax-payer funds.
Conclusion
Australia reiterates our call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages. We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas and its ongoing acts of terror.
Our support for a two-state solution – the State of Palestine and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders – is steadfast. Australia will continue to be a constructive partner in support of ending the war in Gaza and achieving a two-state solution, as the only pathway to a secure and prosperous future that respects the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
I appreciate you taking the time to write to me on this difficult issue.
So “We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas and its ongoing acts of terror”, but Israel can continue its acts of terror and we will continue to support this.
This government is not redeemable!