It reads to me like lazy apologia for Labor’s weak stance here. It has been Labor’s official policy for decades, and even was at one time an issue Albo himself was outspoken on, to support Palestinian statehood. Now they get into Government and refuse to do so because it wouldn’t play well to America. It’s weak and gutless.

The fact that Labor is punishing their member in the light of all that just highlights the problem with their strict policy of solidarity. They should take a more nuanced approach like parties often do overseas. Defection on critical issues like supply and confidence motions is obviously unacceptable, but for other issues, the whip should be removed only if they are regularly voting against the party line. Put different votes into different tiers and weigh up how often an MP or Senator is voting against the party line in different tiers.