Labor conference ends in drama over gagged Gaza genocide motion

Labor's national conference in Adelaide has closed on a note of high drama, after a motion to formally label Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide was blocked by the party's factional leadership — leaving one of its own MPs openly critical of the outcome.

Muslim backbencher Ed Husic had pushed for the motion to be put to delegates, calling the destruction of Gaza a genocide. Instead, his own right faction joined forces with the left to shut the proposal down before it could reach a vote. Husic did not hide his frustration.

"I have been surprised at the extraordinary amount of energy that has been applied to stop this, as opposed to talking about this," he told reporters gathered outside the conference floor. "When we signed up for this membership card, we didn't sign up for the status quo."

Inside, the party moved quickly to project a contrasting image. Jewish MP Josh Burns and backbencher Bassem Abdo — the son of Palestinian refugees — appeared together at the lectern in a show of solidarity. "Through hours of conversation and compromise and respect, we are both standing here together," the pair said in a joint address that the government hoped would define the conference's legacy on the Middle East.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared the gathering a success, describing it as the most unified conference he had attended in his decades with the party. "This is the most purposeful and united national conference I have attended since I joined the Labor Party back in 1979," Albanese said.

Critics, however, were quick to point out the gap between that message and what unfolded behind the scenes. Albanese was determined to project cohesion, even if that meant silencing internal dissent — a decision that drew fire from within Labor's own ranks.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, speaking exclusively to Seven News, weighed in on the conference proceedings, noting that her party seemed to dominate much of the debate. "Every member that got up was basically mentioning One Nation," she said, adding that she believed Labor was growing anxious about One Nation's rising support in the electorate. She also took aim at Albanese's factional management, saying: "He is way or the highway."

Conference delegates also found time for lighter moments, including a show of support for the new PNG Chiefs NRL franchise. One MP drew laughs by recounting a childhood appearance at age five on beloved ABC program Mr Squiggle.

The Gaza motion controversy is unlikely to disappear quickly. With Husic refusing to soften his criticism and community pressure on Labor growing over its Middle East stance, the factional compromise that silenced the debate may prove to be a short-term fix ahead of longer-term tensions within the party.