Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, following similar moves by the UK, France and Canada.
Albanese says Australia received commitments from the Palestinian Authority including to demilitarise, hold general elections and continue to recognise Israel’s right to exist.
The Palestinian Authority, which controls parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, earlier said recognition of statehood shows growing support for self-determination of its people.
Albanese says the decision was made after his government received commitments from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that Hamas would play no role in any future state.