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Anthony Albanese was last weekend as voters booted incumbent and his conservative government out of office.Ìý

Albanese’s victory markedÌýthe first time in almost a decade that a Labor government is inÌýpower in , and sent shockwaves around the world.

"Tonight, the Australian people have voted for change,"ÌýThe newly elected leader toldÌýroaring crowds on election night.Ìý

Thank you Australia.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP)

Who is Albanese and how did he win the election?Ìý

Anthony Albanese is a student activist turned 'centrist statesman'Ìýwho has led the Australian Labor Party for nine years in opposition.Ìý

The 51-year-old grew up in a Sydney suburb with his mother, a disability pensioner.Ìý

"Albo"Ìýmade a name for himself as an affable character in politics,Ìýfrequently appearingÌýat pubsÌýand concerts, as well as occasionally DJing at events.Ìý

AlbaneseÌýwas previouslyÌýseen as a progressive voice, but political commentators noted that he shifted to the centre of the political spectrum to appeal to a broader range of voters.

During his 26-year political career, Albanese held senior roles in Labor’s former government under Kevin Rudd. While in opposition, he became a vanguard for the left during Morrison’s tumultuous premiershipÌýcharacterised by creeping populismÌýand

His win on 11 MayÌýhas largely been viewed as a loss for MorrisonÌýrather than a victory for Labor, who are on course to form a majority government - but only just.Ìý

Independent candidates such as "the teals"Ìý- who ran on a pro-environment and anti-corruption platformÌý- claimed sweeping victories in once safe conservative seats. Australia’s Greens also recorded one of their best ever election results.Ìý

What does Albanese’s win mean for Australia's approach to PalestinianÌýsovereignty?Ìý

In earlier parts of his career, Albanese spoke out against . In 2014, he called the bombardment of by Israel a "collective punishment"Ìýthat wasÌý"completely unacceptable". Four years later, the Labor leader challenged aÌýdecision by the Australian government to vote against a UN human rights council motion calling for an investigation into the killings of Palestinian protesters.Ìý

However, more recently, Albanese appears to haveÌýmoved away from a position of Palestinian solidarity.

In an interview with TheÌýAustralian Jewish News ahead of the election, the Labor leader said any decision it takes on Israel-Palestine will contribute "to a peaceful resolution of the conflict and to progress towards a two-state solution".Ìý

When asked about a 2018 resolution to recognise a state of Palestine, Albanese insisted the motion "has no greater or lesser weight"Ìýthan it did previously.Ìý

On the subject of , a global solidarity campaign to put pressure on the Israeli government, Albanese is a vocal critic.Ìý

"When a campaign’s sole purpose is to seek attention, sometimes the smartest thing to do is not to give it the attention it’s asking for,"Ìýhe said.Ìý

Albanese led a campaign against Marrickville Council in Sydney when it sought to adoptÌýsupport for BDS in 2021. "My opposition to BDS is something I’ve been passionate about," he said.Ìý

What do Palestinians think of Albanese’s victory?Ìý

The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN), an organisation advocating for Australian policy to support , justice and equality, told °®Âþµº: "With this new government the minimum we expect is what they’ve promised, recognition of Palestine, though we’re yet to see how this will be defined."

The APAN also said they hope to seeÌýsupport for investigations by the International Criminal Court into war crimes in Palestine, and the reinstatement of foreign aid funding.Ìý

However, the group’s president Bishop George Browning said: "Labor, as a party has historically not been supportive of Palestine, compare with individual politicians and minor parties, and that’s unlikely to change dramatically."

Join and APAN this Wednesday evening to learn about Israel's , and what we can do in to help dismantle the system, one step at a time.

— APAN (@APAN4Palestine)

Nevertheless, there are three thingsÌýthat have given APAN cause for optimism.

Firstly, the defeats of "ardent"Ìýanti-Palestinian politicians; namely, Morrison. The former Australian leader was considered a close ally to and alongside Donald Trump decided to recognise west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital despite ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories and

The victories of independent candidates who have been strong supporters of Palestinian self-determination -ÌýincludingÌýa number of new Green and independent parliamentarians -Ìýhave also raised hopes, as hasÌýaÌýgroundswell of support for Palestinians among the Australian Labor Party.ÌýÌý

ALP members are very supportive of Palestinian self-determination "and internally will be expected greater action,"Ìýsaid Browning.Ìý

A National YouGov poll in April 2022 found that a majority of the Australian public believe Palestine should be recognised as an independent state and opposed the current approach by the Australian government towards the