Foreign Minister Penny Wong has labelled the Palestinian Authority's (PA) decision to postpone general elections as "deeply disappointing", as the Coalition accused Labor of "prematurely" recognising Palestinian statehood.
President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday postponed what would have been the first Palestinian elections in 20 years, scheduled for November, until September 2027, citing changed conditions.
"We call on the Palestinian Authority to ensure elections take place without delay," Ms Wong said.
"Credible elections are an important element of the Palestinian Authority's commitment to the international community on reform, democratic renewal and accountable governance.
"Continuing to delay elections undermines the prospects of a two-state solution."
The Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) cited ongoing Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank, continued strikes on Gaza, and Israel's refusal to allow election materials or international observers to enter Gaza as key factors for the delay.
"These conditions prevent the establishment of an appropriate environment for elections and undermine guarantees for the safety of voters, candidates and electoral workers," the PLO said in a statement.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on X accused the Palestinian Authority of "once again deceiving the international community".
"[Mr Abbas's] attempt to drag Israel into this, falsely claiming that Israel imposed obstacles to holding elections, is yet another ridiculous lie designed to evade responsibility and accountability," Mr Sa'ar wrote.
Israeli outlet, the Jerusalem Post, has separately reported Israel's elections, scheduled for October 27, could be postponed if Israel returned to war with Iran within the next three weeks.
Pro-Israel group demands PA accountability
Australia last year joined 156 other UN member states in recognising Palestinian statehood, with "clear requirements" set out by the international community.
At the time of the decision, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mr Abbas gave "direct undertakings to Australia" including commitments to hold democratic elections.
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) executive director Colin Rubenstein has called on the government "to hold the PA accountable for breaking yet another key commitment underpinning Australia's recognition of a Palestinian state".
"Recognition of Palestinian statehood by Australia, however premature and counterproductive it was, should not remain a blank cheque.
"The Albanese government must explain what consequences will follow for the PA's repeated refusal to abide by the very commitments upon which recognition was based."
Coalition blasts 'premature' recognition
Shadow Foreign Minister Ted O'Brien on Monday joined AIJAC in calling on the prime minister to "explain" what actions the government would take if elections were not held next year.
"The promise of democratic elections gave Labor's premature recognition of Palestine a veneer of legitimacy, and now that veneer has been stripped away," Mr O'Brien said.
"The Australian government should be pressing for that decision to be reversed."
Ted O'Brien says the government needs to continue pressing for the decision to be reversed. (ABC News: Callum Flinn)
France's government has urged the Palestinian Authority to reverse its election delay, which the French foreign ministry said would "deprive the Palestinian people of their right to democratically express themselves" for the first time in two decades.
Ms Wong has not gone that far.
"We look forward to the Palestinian Authority making progress on the commitments it has made to Australia and the international community, so that next steps like diplomatic relations and the opening of embassies can proceed," she said.