News and politics recap: Zomi Frankcom’s family call Israeli decision ‘an insult’

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The Federal Government has vowed to continue pressing Israel for accountability over the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Israel’s decision not to pursue criminal charges “an outrage”, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong summoned the Israeli ambassador to express the government’s fury.

Frankcom’s family has also condemned the decision, saying it was an “insult” to her memory that the case was closed on the same day a humanitarian award was announced in her name.

Albanese said the government would “not stop pressing Israel for justice” for Frankcom and her colleagues.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has stepped up criticism of AUKUS, warning the Indo-Pacific is becoming “increasingly prone to conflict”.

Speaking aboard a warship during a visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, Putin said new military and political blocs were increasing risks in the region.

He accused NATO of seeking to gain a foothold in the Indo-Pacific and said plans to deploy new weapons systems posed a threat to Russia.

Russia has long criticised Australia’s AUKUS plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, citing concerns over nuclear proliferation and regional stability.

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Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite says he “can’t think of a time” when the relationship between Israel and Australia has been more fraught.

He said the timing of the release of the report, which coincided with World Humanitarian Day and a ceremony launching an award in Frankcom’s name, was “completely disrespectful” and left a “bitter taste.”

“We’ve had an Australian aid worker who has been killed volunteering to help others in what is one of the greatest humanitarian crises in the world,” he says.

Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite says the government will continue pressing Israel for answers over the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom.

Thistlethwaite ruled out expelling the Israeli ambassador, saying continued engagement was the best way to get answers for Frankcom’s family.

“The Israeli ambassador is our government’s conduit to the Israeli government, and we want to seek further information from them,” he says.

“We think the best way to get that information is to continue to press the ambassador and the embassy for those answers.

“The best way to get outcomes for Zomi’s family is to continue to engage,” he said.

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi says Australians are “really angry” after the IDF cleared its soldiers of criminal wrongdoing over the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom.

Faruqi said the government was right to condemn the decision but should have pushed harder for accountability.

“It was up to the Labor government to force accountability, and force justice to Zomi, and they have completely failed,” she said.

She called for the Israeli ambassador to be expelled, saying the decision demanded a stronger response from the government.

The family of an Australian aid worker killed by Israeli airstrikes says its “deeply disappointed” by a decision not to pursue criminal actions against the soldiers involved.

Ms Frankcom and six colleagues from the World Central Kitchen were killed in the incident two years ago as they delivered aid to Gaza.

“This was not a single, instantaneous strike. Three clearly marked humanitarian vehicles travelling in a humanitarian fire control zone were struck successively as survivors attempted to move from one vehicle to another,” the family said in a statement.

“For it to be announced on World Humanitarian Day, the day the world pauses to remember those who have lost their lives while helping others, and the same day the Australian Foreign Minister and our family announced a humanitarian award in Zomi’s name, is an insult to my sister’s memory.”

Opposition deputy leader Jane Hume claims that Coalition governments have been the main driver of debt reduction since the early 2000s..

“At this point in the economic cycle, we should be banking surpluses,” Hume said.

“Rather than banking savings and taking that off the debt, Labor has spent it.”

Opposition deputy leader Jane Hume says the IDF finding that no criminal charges will be pursued over the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom would be a “blow” to her family.

Hume said she was not prepared to comment on the findings in the same terms as the government, with Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Ted O’Brien seeking a briefing from the Israeli ambassador.

Asked if Frankcom’s family deserved an apology, Hume said: “I think everybody is sorry that such a tragedy should occur.”

“But I can’t expand on that ... I don’t know the details,” she said.

Police have said the parents of missing teenage hiker, Lily Hooper, were told their daughter was alive, despite her body being found.

Assistant Commissioner Joseph Cassarconfirmed that it was not just NSW Premier Chris Minns who had been delivered false information, but Ms Hooper’s parents, too.

“The initial information that the searchers believed she was alive and that was communicated (to the parents),” he said.

“But within eight to 10 minutes we were able to give them an update.”

Ms Hooper’s cause and time of death has not yet been determined and will form part of the investigation.

When asked what Mr Cassar’s message to the parents was regarding the miscommunication, he did not apologise.

“I think the only thing I can sincerely say is - my absolute condolences go out to Lily’s mum and dad,” he said.

“Everyone of the investigators and the searchers, whether the volunteers or head personnel, hoped for a more positive outcome.

“I can tell you the police that were in charge at the time had spoken to her mum and dad, certainly hoped for a positive outcome.”

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