Peter Dutton has praised Donald Trump for being willing to try new approaching to resolving the conflict, avoiding criticism of a plan that has shocked the region.
Peter Dutton has praised Donald Trump for being willing to try new approaching to resolving the conflict, avoiding criticism of a plan that has shocked the region.
By Olivia Ireland and Josefine Ganko
February 6, 2025 — 10.27am
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has praised Donald Trump as a big thinker who wants peace after the US president shocked the world by proposing a US takeover of the Gaza Strip, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remained muted in response.
Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States would assume control of Gaza and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East” in a call to expel the territory’s Palestinian inhabitants to neighbouring Arab states, which they rejected.
Dutton said Trump was a “a big thinker and a dealmaker.”
“He’s not become the president of the United States for a second time by being anything other than shrewd, you’ve seen it in his business life, and the art of the deal is incredibly important to him … that nobody’s ripping each other off,” Dutton told Nine’s 2GB radio.
“I think there’s a desire for peace here from every reasonable person, and hopefully it can be achieved.”
Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday he would not provide a commentary on Trump’s decisions and affirmed Australia’s support for a two-state solution. The prime minister repeated his position during a morning media blitz on Thursday.
“I’m not going to run a commentary on the president’s motivations every day,” Albanese told the ABC.
The prime minister’s neutral stance differs from the reaction of other world leaders such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who told the House of Commons that Palestinians must be allowed home.
Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday the US would not pay for the president’s plan or put any personnel into Gaza boots on the ground and clarified that the administration did not want Palestinians permanently removed from the territory.
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Dutton said Trump’s solution should not be dismissed.
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“I think [Trump’s logic], it’s part of a desire to see peace and stability in the region, and let’s be honest, what’s gone before us has failed,” Dutton said.
“I think it is about how do you leverage the best possible outcome, provide that peace and stability so that people can raise their kids in an environment that is conducive to them leading a good life, not being blown apart.”
Coalition spokesman for home affairs James Paterson also avoided criticising Trump.
“We have limited information about it [the plan]. But as I said, our view remains the same. The two-state solution is the more durable solution to this problem,” he told reporters in Canberra.
Liberal senator Dave Sharma, who was once Australia’s ambassador to Israel, had similar remarks on Wednesday, saying Trump’s remarks should not always be taken literally, adding he did not believe Trump’s Gaza proposal was “the final script”.
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Olivia Ireland is a workplace relations and federal breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based at Parliament House in Canberra.Connect via Twitter or email.
Josefine Ganko is a news blogger at the Sydney Morning HeraldConnect via Twitter or email.
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