Zali Steggall (Warringah, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Two years after an Israeli air strike unlawfully killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza, Israel has failed to provide transparency, accountability, a formal apology or compensation. The UK and Poland have launched coronial inquiries and commissioned international probes into the death of their citizens. What tangible progress has the government made to secure justice for Zomi since meeting with President Hertzog, and will the government support a humanitarian peace prize in Zomi's honour?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Warringah for her question. I will meet the member for Warringah this afternoon with Zomi Frankcom's brother, Mal. I look forward to having a respectful conversation with him and personally expressing my condolences for the tragic loss of life which of course should never have occurred.

Zomi Frankcom was an aid worker, working for the World Central Kitchen. She and six of her colleagues were killed in an outrage, and Australia expressed that view very publicly—and continues to do so. Tomorrow is the two-year anniversary of this tragedy. I have certainly raised the issue directly with the Israeli president, Isaac Hertzog, most recently during his visit here to Australia.

Last year at the United Nations, when I was there, Australia led the world in launching the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. Penny Wong, our Foreign Minister, has done extraordinary work there seeking to honour the courage and kindness of Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues. I look forward to meeting Mal this afternoon. This is a tragic loss. We will continue work each and every day to do our best to ensure there is transparency and appropriate action.