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Friday, Mar 14, 2025
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Investigation Launched Over Undeclared West Bank Trip Expenses by Australian Deputy Liberal Leader
Sussan Ley's office probes into potential oversight regarding trip expenses funded by the Palestinian Authority in 2011.
The office of Sussan Ley, Deputy Opposition Leader of the Liberal Party in Australia, has initiated an investigation into whether she failed to declare expenses covered by the Palestinian Authority during a 2011 visit to the West Bank.
This investigation comes after reports from Sky News indicated that while other politicians who accompanied Ley, such as Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou and former Labor MP Jill Hall, declared the expenses related to transportation, accommodation, and meals on their official registers, Ley did not.
In a statement to SBS News, Ley's office acknowledged the inquiry, suggesting that, if proven correct, the omission might have been an 'administrative oversight.' The statement emphasized that Ley has been transparent regarding her participation in the trip, as she has publicly addressed it on various occasions.
Ley, who has previously served as co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine, an informal bipartisan group in Australia, has been an outspoken supporter of Palestinian concerns.
She notably advocated for Palestinian autonomy during Israel's 60th-anniversary celebrations in the House of Representatives in 2008 and expressed her backing for Palestinian statehood following her 2011 trip, noting that it could uplift the morale of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
The Palestinian Authority, which has operated as the de facto administrative body in portions of the West Bank since its displacement from Gaza by Hamas in 2007, partly funded Ley's 2011 visit.
The broader international community remains divided on Palestinian statehood, with 146 out of 193 United Nations member states recognizing it.
However, major Western allies such as the United States, Britain, and Australia have not offered recognition, though discussions on the matter persist.
Recent statements by Ley reflect the nuanced political climate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Following the deadly October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, Ley condemned calls for Israel to exercise restraint, labeling them as 'disgraceful.' She subsequently clarified that her remarks were not intended to criticize Palestinian civilians.
Meanwhile, ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns continue to grip the region, highlighting the complexity and volatility of relations within and surrounding the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
This investigation comes after reports from Sky News indicated that while other politicians who accompanied Ley, such as Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou and former Labor MP Jill Hall, declared the expenses related to transportation, accommodation, and meals on their official registers, Ley did not.
In a statement to SBS News, Ley's office acknowledged the inquiry, suggesting that, if proven correct, the omission might have been an 'administrative oversight.' The statement emphasized that Ley has been transparent regarding her participation in the trip, as she has publicly addressed it on various occasions.
Ley, who has previously served as co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine, an informal bipartisan group in Australia, has been an outspoken supporter of Palestinian concerns.
She notably advocated for Palestinian autonomy during Israel's 60th-anniversary celebrations in the House of Representatives in 2008 and expressed her backing for Palestinian statehood following her 2011 trip, noting that it could uplift the morale of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
The Palestinian Authority, which has operated as the de facto administrative body in portions of the West Bank since its displacement from Gaza by Hamas in 2007, partly funded Ley's 2011 visit.
The broader international community remains divided on Palestinian statehood, with 146 out of 193 United Nations member states recognizing it.
However, major Western allies such as the United States, Britain, and Australia have not offered recognition, though discussions on the matter persist.
Recent statements by Ley reflect the nuanced political climate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Following the deadly October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, Ley condemned calls for Israel to exercise restraint, labeling them as 'disgraceful.' She subsequently clarified that her remarks were not intended to criticize Palestinian civilians.
Meanwhile, ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns continue to grip the region, highlighting the complexity and volatility of relations within and surrounding the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
