Albanese to push for independent probe into aid worker's death

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has labeled Israel's response to the attack that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom as a "so-called" report, stating "Australia deserves better." He emphasized the need for a more transparent and clear explanation from the Israeli government.

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Australia deserves better. There’s a need for a far more transparent and clear explanation from the Israeli government.

Albanese announced that Australia will work with Ms. Frankcom's family to call for an independent review into the attack. "We will press the Israeli government. The direction, we have said today, we’ll discuss with Ms. Frankcom’s family," he said. "They deserve to be consulted on these issues, and we’ll do that, and then we’ll make an announcement in the coming days."

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We will press the Israeli government. The direction, we have said today, we’ll discuss with Ms. Frankcom’s family. They deserve to be consulted on these issues, and we’ll do that, and then we’ll make an announcement in the coming days.

Ms. Frankcom’s family described the findings as a miscarriage of justice and an insult to her legacy, noting Israel's refusal to release audio from the drone strikes. "Zomi and her colleagues deserve more than an internal, opaque process that ends with a short statement by the Israeli military absolving their soldiers of criminal wrongdoing," the family stated.

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Zomi and her colleagues deserve more than an internal, opaque process that ends with a short statement by the Israeli military absolving their soldiers of criminal wrongdoing.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong had previously condemned Israel's actions, saying they fell short of expected accountability. She summoned Israeli ambassador Hillel Newman to Parliament House to explain the investigation's outcome. "(I) have directed Australia’s ambassador to Israel to convey our views directly to Israel as the Australian government considers next steps," Senator Wong told media. Calls have emerged for Newman's expulsion from Australia, with groups like the Jewish Council of Australia questioning the response to the perceived failure of accountability. Senator Wong, however, maintained that ties with Israel are important for diplomatic interests.

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(I) have directed Australia’s ambassador to Israel to convey our views directly to Israel as the Australian government considers next steps.