Backbench MP Ed Husic questioned Labor’s appetite for open debate after his plan to move a motion piling pressure on Israel was stymied by a factional deal.

Far from sulking on the sidelines, Husic has turned into the chief irritant within Labor’s caucus and, at this week’s national conference, the lead advocate on issues of…

Foreign Minister Penny Wong is scrambling to shepherd through a compromise position, but a former cabinet colleague is calling for tougher language.