Can statehood emerge from chaos? History's lesson
Whether Australia will follow suit remains to be seen.
What can history tell us about the formation of new states out of violent conflict?
Guest: Sir Christopher Clark, professor of history at the University of Cambridge
Recommendations:
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Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
Indigenous artist avoids sacking from government role despite releasing foul-mouthed rant labelling Anthony Albanese a ‘genocidal c***'
Indigenous musician Fred Leone has escaped being sacked from a government board despite releasing an abusive clip to social media labelling Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a 'c***' for his handling of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Prime Minister Albanese is reportedly considering a potential shift in foreign policy following in the footsteps of the UK, France and Canada, with September's UN General Assembly a possible timeframe for Australia to formally recognise a Palestinian state. Mr Albanese's hardening stance on the conflict was not enough to satisfy Indigenous musician and federal public servant Fred Leone, who posted a lengthy expletive-laden rant to Instagram last week scolding the PM and his cabinet colleagues in the strongest possible terms. Mr Leone, who was driving in his car at the time, began the clip by declaring that Anthony Albanese was a 'weak as p***, f****** dead s*** damn arsed leader' and that he was the 'poxiest f****** leader this country has ever had.' The Butchulla songman was nominated to the board of the Music Australia Council by Arts and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in 2023 and rakes in an annual salary of $24,540 from the position. Mr Leone, who has an extensive track record of expressing controversial personal opinions, seemed unphased about his position as a civil servant and proceeded to launch a blistering personal attack aimed at his ministerial bosses. Mr Albanese copped the brunt of the tirade and was characterised by Mr Leone as a 'f****** child' who had been 'sucking Zionist n*** for the last two years, it's pathetic.' 'You (Mr Albanese) call anybody who calls out Israel an antisemite, what we are talking about is disgusting, you are selling weapons parts to Israel, go get f***** you piece of s***. Mr Leone said Foreign Minister Penny Wong should also 'go get f*****' and that she was a 'gutless piece of s***' and a 'lying b****.' The man then turned his sights to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who personally appointed him to the lucrative federal board. 'Tony Burke, you f****** weak arse c***. How many Israeli IDF soldiers are here and living in this country with dual citizenship and you are here galivanting around,' Mr Leone said. He also appeared to threaten the trio, at one stage stating, 'don't come near me or I'll rip you in front of everybody.' The outburst, which would typically warrant instant termination in most workplaces, did not result in Mr Leone being stood down from his official capacity as a federal bureaucrat - with The Australian reporting he would remain in the role until his term on the board lapsed at the end of August. In a brief statement to The Australian, Mr Burke said 'his (Leone's) language escalated as soon as he was told that he wasn't going to be reappointed to Music Australia.' Mr Leone said he 'couldn't give a f***' if he 'never got any funding from the Australin government ever again.' 'I will apply, and I couldn't give a f***, I couldn't care less,' he said.


SBS Australia
6 hours ago
- SBS Australia
'No Palestine left to recognise' unless world works together on two-state solution, Wong says
Australia is one step closer to recognising Palestinian statehood and is coordinating with other nations on the issue, as the foreign minister warns there might soon be "no Palestine left". Although the federal government has said statehood is a matter of "when, not if", it has been hesitant to set a timeline, with the prime minister previously saying any UN resolution would need to guarantee the designated terror group Hamas played no role in the future nation. 'Unique opportunity' to isolate Hamas On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed Australia is working with other countries on recognition to ensure its concerns are met. "We understand the urgency, we also understand the importance of having impact, we are obviously discussing and co-ordinating these issues with many countries," she told Nine's Today show on Tuesday. "Everybody understands that there is a risk that there will be no Palestine left to recognise unless the international community work together towards two states. "We want to ensure work with others to ensure that Hamas has no role in a future Palestinian state, and we do have a unique opportunity at this time with the international community to isolate Hamas." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday morning, when he reiterated Australia's commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East that would allow Israel and a Palestinian state to co-exist. He also stressed the need for the immediate delivery of aid to Gaza, a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages. Abbas thanked Australia for its economic and humanitarian support for Gaza and agreed to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting starting on 9 September. More than 140 of the 193 UN member states already recognise the Palestinian state, including European Union member states Spain and Ireland. Australia on Monday also committed another $20 million to humanitarian aid for Gaza, as UN sources found more than two million people in the enclave were facing high levels of food insecurity. Israel has bombarded Gaza since Hamas' October 7 attack in 2023, in which more than 1,200 people, including an estimated 30 children, were killed and over 200 hostages taken, according to the Israeli government. More than 60,430 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the health ministry in Gaza. The October 7 attack was a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Australian government has taken issue with the Israeli position. "We believe it is a breach of international law to stop food being delivered, which is the decision Israel made in March," Wong told ABC Radio. Pro-Palestinian Australians have called on the government to impose sanctions on Israel similar to those placed on Myanmar and Russia. Wong noted Australia had sanctioned persons for human rights abuses against Palestinians. The government would not speculate on sanctions "for the obvious reason they have more effect if they are not flagged". The Coalition has reiterated its support for a two-state solution, but Liberal MP Julian Leeser said recognition can only come "at the end of a process". "It's wrong that we're putting recognition on the table at this point because it removes pressure on Hamas, and I think it sends a bad signal to other areas of conflict," he told ABC Radio. "It's very important that we do nothing that encourages Hamas in its activities."

ABC News
7 hours ago
- ABC News
New Caledonian President says it's time for 'democracy to do the talking' after historic Bougival Accord
New Caledonian President Alcide Ponga hopes the new Bougival Accord, which emerged after 10 days of gruelling talks in France, could offer a path to stability after what has been a political "rollercoaster ride" for the country. Since violence erupted across the French territory in May 2024 and claimed the lives of 14 people, the damage done is estimated to have cost New Caledonia two billion euros ($3.6 billion). Mr Ponga last spoke with ABC Pacific in March, as French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls flew in and out of the French territory, attempting to get pro-independence and French loyalists to agree. Four months later, the Bougival Accord was signed on July 12 at a meeting called by French President Emmanuel Macron. The French president met with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives in Paris to discuss an agreement aimed at granting the island more autonomy. ( AP: Pool Reuters ) By February 2026, a public referendum must be held. But it won't be a question of independence, but rather a vote to endorse the Accord. Mr Ponga told ABC Pacific it was "essential to reach an objective" and for the group of pro-independence and French loyalists to leave France with a plan. "Now is the time to let the democracy [do the] talking," he said. "It is our duty to do that because people in New Caledonia; they're waiting for us." While Mr Macron dubbed the proposed agreement "historic", Mr Ponga views it more as a "compromise" document than an agreement. "For me, if I was to put a title around this document, I would say that it's not [an] agreement from Bougival, it's compromised from Bougival." The Bougival Accord One of the headlines to come out of the proposed agreement was granting New Caledonia more autonomy. Creating a 'State of New Caledonia' within the French Republic, to be enshrined in the French Constitution Creating a 'State of New Caledonia' within the French Republic, to be enshrined in the French Constitution Introduce a Caledonian nationality, allowing Caledonians dual nationality Introduce a Caledonian nationality, allowing Caledonians dual nationality A special organic law (Loi Organique), will define the conditions for implementing the agreement A special organic law (Loi Organique), will define the conditions for implementing the agreement A fundamental law, which would be adopted by the Congress of New Caledonia, will outline New Caledonia's capacity for self-organisation A fundamental law, which would be adopted by the Congress of New Caledonia, will outline New Caledonia's capacity for self-organisation The provisions of the 1998 Noumea Accord that are not contrary to the Bougival Accord will remain in force The provisions of the 1998 Noumea Accord that are not contrary to the Bougival Accord will remain in force New Caledonians will vote on the Bougival Accord Under the agreement, France and New Caledonia's shared authority over foreign affairs would be handed over to the Government of New Caledonia. "We [are] talking about the relation, international relations, we can have more responsibility in New Caledonia to have agreements with regions here in the Pacific," Mr Ponga said. The agreement outlines that New Caledonia will conduct its diplomatic work "in accordance with the international commitments and the interests of France". "We will have to work on that with France to say, 'Ok guys, we [are] still French, but in some areas, New Caledonia can sign some relationship or some agreement'." The issue of voter eligibility was also pressure point when the deadly violence erupted last year. The Accord proposes to expand eligibility to those who have lived in New Caledonia for 15 years to the date of the next election will be eligible to vote. Mr Ponga believes expanding voter eligibility will help New Caledonia rebuild. "If we want to build [a] country, we need people, we need consumers," he said. "We need produce. We need people to pay tax. We need people to plant yam or salad, tomatoes, potatoes. "You need people to make [the] economy great again; I'm not American guy. Make [the] economy in New Caledonia great again." Mr Ponga made his early career in the nickel industry before going into politics, and believes the industry will also play a key role in rebuilding New Caledonia's economy. The Accord outlines an economic pact that would facilitate the export of nickel ore as part of a "renewed nickel doctrine". The President told ABC Pacific that New Caledonia needed to create a "good atmosphere" for investment rather than relying on France for money. "If we put on the table the good regulatory, you can make investors want to come to New Caledonia and put money on nickel, money on energy, put money on blue economy." But Mr Ponga recognises that there is some convincing to do for the Accord to be passed. "We are different community, but we have to create one country and to make our country improve economically."