Basem Abdo
Basem Abdo | |
|---|---|
Abdo in 2025 | |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Calwell | |
| Assumed office 3 May 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Maria Vamvakinou |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Basem Jamal Abdo Kuwait |
| Political party | Labor |
| Spouse | Natascha |
Basem Jamal Abdo 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 person of Palestinian descent to serve in the Parliament of Australia.
Early life
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.[1] His father was trained as a electrical engineer, but was unable to find employment in Australia as an electrical engineer.[2]
Abdo graduated from Gladstone Park Secondary College and is a qualified teacher. He married to Natascha[2][3] and is a Muslim.[4]
Career
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.[5][2]
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.[1] 23.8% of the population of the Division of Calwell is Muslim, one of the highest for any Australian electorate.[6] Abdo is the first member of the Parliament of Australia to be of Palestinian descent.[2][7]
Political positions
Abdo supports increasing the minimum wage.[8]
References
Works cited
News
- Canales, Sarah; Kolovos, Benita (9 June 2024). "Outgoing federal Labor MP backs Palestinian-Australian to replace her in Melbourne seat of Calwell". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025.
- Carey, Adam (19 February 2025). "'Ripped off': Popular ex-mayor quits ALP to challenge for one of its safest seats". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025.
- Dhanji, Krishani (26 May 2025). "Son of Palestinian refugees projected to win Calwell for Labor in most complex preference count in history". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025.
- Scott, Elfy (4 May 2025). "Statement or setback? What happened to the Gaza protest vote at the federal election". SBS World News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2025.
- Walden, Max (19 April 2025). "Melbourne seat of Calwell highlights Labor woes as Gaza pain galvanises Muslim voters". ABC News. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025.
Web
- "Australia gets first MP of Palestinian background". AMES Australia. 3 June 2026. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025.
- "Basem Abdo". Basem Abdo. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025.
- "Basem Abdo". Australian Labor Party. Archived from the original on 31 May 2025.