The Albanese government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state marks a historic moment in Australian foreign policy, even if the move is likely to have little to no practical impact on the Middle East in the foreseeable future.

The shift has been years in the making, but momentum accelerated dramatically over the past fortnight as global events convinced Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong that now was the time to cross the Rubicon.

Long derided as the United States’ “deputy sheriff” in the Asia-Pacific, Australia is asserting its independence from the Trump administration on a defining issue, even as the mercurial president weighs up the future of the AUKUS pact and possible tariffs on Australian pharmaceutical imports.

Wong called US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday to tip him off about the decision, but this was merely a courtesy call. Rubio has warned that recognising Palestine now would reward Hamas for its October 7 attacks and embolden it to act as a spoiler in ceasefire talks over the war in Gaza. These warnings carried no weight with Wong, despite the fact the US can use its United Nations Security Council veto power to block Palestine from being admitted as UN member state.

While disappointing our closest security partner, the announcement........

© Brisbane Times