News

31 March 2026

Zali Steggall MP: 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 deaths of their citizens. What tangible progress has the government made to secure Justice for Zomi since meeting with President Herzog? And will the government support a humanitarian peace Prize in his honour?

Prime Minister Albanese: I thank the member for Warringah for her question. I will meet the member for Warringah this afternoon with Zomi Frankcom's brother Mal this afternoon, and I look forward to having a respectful conversation with him and personally expressing my condolences for the tragic loss of life which should of course have never have occurred. Zomi Frankcom was an aid worker working for the World Central Kitchen. Her and six of her colleagues were killed in an outrage, and Australia expressed that view very publicly and continued to do so. Tomorrow, tragically, is a 2-year anniversary of this tragedy and I have certainly raised the issue very directly, most recently with the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, 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 do. I look forward to meeting this afternoon. This is a tragic loss. We'll continue to work each and every day to do our best to ensure that there is transparency and appropriate action.