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Basem Abdo
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Basem Jamal Abdo (Arabic: باسم جمال عبده, born 3 June 1987)[2] is an Australian politician who serves as a member of the Australian House of Representatives representing the Division of Calwell. He was elected in the 2025 election as a member of the Australian Labor Party. The son of Palestinian refugees, Abdo is the first Palestinian Arab to serve in the Parliament of Australia.
Key Information
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Early life
[edit]Basem Abdo was born in Kuwait to Palestinian refugees. His father fled his village in the West Bank during the Six-Day War. Their family sought refuge in Jordan during the Gulf War and moved to Australia in 1991.[3] His father was trained as an electrical engineer, but was unable to find employment in Australia as an electrical engineer.[4]
Abdo graduated from Gladstone Park Secondary College and is a qualified teacher. He married Natascha[4] and is a Muslim.[5]
Career
[edit]Abdo worked as an advisor for Maria Vamvakinou, a member of the Australian House of Representatives. He is a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and is aligned with the Labor Left faction of the party.[6]
For the 2025 federal election Abdo was selected to succeed Vamvakinou as the ALP's candidate in the Division of Calwell and defeated twelve other candidates for the seat. Vamvakinou endorsed Abdo and Calwell has been held by Labor since its creation in 1984.[3] 23.8% of the population of the Division of Calwell is Muslim, one of the highest for any Australian electorate.[7] Abdo is the first member of the Parliament of Australia to be of Palestinian Arab descent.[8][4]
Political positions
[edit]Abdo supports increasing the minimum wage.[citation needed]
Abdo is an advocate for Palestinian statehood.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Qualification checklist" (PDF). Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Palestinian-Australian MP praises Turkish community's advocacy for Palestine". Türkiye. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ^ a b Dhanji, Krishani (26 May 2025). "Son of Palestinian refugees projected to win Calwell for Labor in most complex preference count in history". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "Australia gets first MP of Palestinian background". AMES Australia. 3 June 2025.
- ^ Walden, Max (19 April 2024). "'Enormously betrayed': Gaza pain mobilises Australian Muslim voters". ABC News. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Canales, Sarah Basford; Kolovos, Benita (9 June 2024). "Outgoing federal Labor MP backs Palestinian-Australian to replace her in Melbourne seat of Calwell". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Carey, Adam (18 February 2025). "'Ripped off': Popular ex-mayor quits ALP to challenge for one of its safest seats". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ "Statement or setback? What happened to the Gaza protest vote at the federal election". SBS News. 4 May 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Staszewska, Ewa (29 July 2025). "'I've always spoken up': New Labor MP reveals how he'll champion Palestinian statehood". SBS News. Archived from the original on 29 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.