Peter Khalil

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix =

| name = Peter Khalil

| honorific-suffix = MP

| image = Peter_Khalil.jpg

| alt =

| caption =

| constituency_MP = Wills

| parliament = Australian

| majority =

| term_start = {{start date|2016|07|02|df=y}}

| term_end =

| predecessor = Kelvin Thomson

| successor =

| office4 = Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security

| term_start4 = 7 September 2022

| term_end4 =

| deputy4 = Andrew Wallace

| predecessor4 = James Paterson

| successor4 =

| office5 = Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Treaties

| term_start5 = 29 July 2019

| term_end5 = 11 April 2022

| predecessor5 =

| successor5 = Phillip Thompson

| prior_term =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1973|3|23}}

| birth_place = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

| death_date =

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| citizenship =

| party = Labor

| height =

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| education =

| alma_mater = University of Melbourne
Australian National University

| occupation =

| profession = Lawyer
Policy analyst
Political adviser

| known_for =

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| religion =

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| website = {{URL|https://peterkhalil.com.au/}}

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Peter Khalil (born 23 March 1973) is an Australian politician. He is a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and has served in the House of Representatives since the 2016 federal election, representing the Victorian seat of Wills.

Khalil was born in Melbourne to Egyptian Coptic parents. He studied law at the University of Melbourne and Australian National University, subsequently working for the Department of Defence and Department of Trade and Foreign Affairs. He briefly worked in Iraq with the Coalition Provisional Authority and later worked in the United States as analyst with the Brookings Institution and Eurasia Group. In 2007, Khalil was appointed as national security adviser to ALP leader Kevin Rudd. He was later a director of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) and member of the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

Early life

Khalil was born in Melbourne on 23 March 1973.{{cite news|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=101351|title=Mr Peter Khalil MP|publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=29 August 2024|archive-date=29 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829134331/https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=101351|url-status=live}} He is the son of Georgette and Fayek Khalil,{{cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/how-labor-s-peter-khalil-got-caught-in-the-crossfire-20240810-p5k1c2|title=How Labor's Peter Khalil got caught in the crossfire|first=Myriam|last=Robin|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|date=16 August 2024|access-date=29 August 2024|archive-date=29 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829134331/https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/how-labor-s-peter-khalil-got-caught-in-the-crossfire-20240810-p5k1c2|url-status=live}} and is a Coptic Christian.{{Cite news |last=Doherty |first=Ben |date=2017-06-01 |title=Coptic Christians in Australia to have refugee claims reassessed |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/01/hundreds-of-coptic-christians-in-australia-to-have-refugee-claims-reassessed |access-date=2023-06-06 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=28 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728051542/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/01/hundreds-of-coptic-christians-in-australia-to-have-refugee-claims-reassessed |url-status=live }} His parents migrated to Australia from Egypt in 1970. His father was a lawyer before moving to Australia, subsequently working for Australia Post and serving on the state executive of the Postal and Telecommunications Union. His mother worked in childcare, as an interpreter, and in the printing department of the Reserve Bank of Australia.{{cite news|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members/FirstSpeeches/45th_Parliament/Peter_Khalil|title=First Speech: Mr Peter Khalil MP|date=12 September 2016|access-date=29 August 2024|publisher=Parliament of Australia|archive-date=29 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829135341/https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members/FirstSpeeches/45th_Parliament/Peter_Khalil|url-status=live}}

Khalil lived in public housing as a child.{{Cite web|title=Khalil calls on govt to prioritise public housing|url=https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6169744948001|access-date=2020-09-30|website=Sky News Australia|date=7 July 2020|language=en-au|archive-date=7 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707234503/https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6169744948001|url-status=live}} After leaving school, he competed on the international tennis circuit and was once ranked No. 25 domestically for singles.{{Cite news|last=Workman|first=Alice|date=2 August 2019|title=Verbal serves galore as pollies make a racket|work=The Australian|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/verbal-serves-galore-as-pollies-make-a-racket/news-story/4332bd820671b783ad845ef51f1ed50b|access-date=30 September 2020}} He competed in the boys' singles tournament at the 1990 Australian Open, losing to Todd Larkham in the first round. In 1996 Khalil gained the degrees of BA and LL.B. from the University of Melbourne and in 2001 graduated as a Master of Laws in the field of international law at the Australian National University.{{Cite web |title=Peter Khalil |url=https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/peter-khalil/13969224 |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Q+A |language=en-AU |archive-date=28 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728051508/https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/peter-khalil/13969224 |url-status=live }}

Professional life

After graduating from ANU, Khalil joined the Department of Defence as a strategic defence policy analyst.{{cite news|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/nation/rudd-picks-his-national-security-adviser/news-story/c413136f05d4c31fe2513bc7e4482847|title=Rudd picks his security adviser|newspaper=The Australian|date=6 February 2007|first=Mark|last=Dodd|access-date=29 August 2024}} In 2003 he was seconded to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq, a body established by the US-led coalition forces during the Iraq War to govern the country after the removal of Saddam Hussein. He was appointed as the CPA's director of national security policy, reporting to CPA leader Paul Bremer and other CPA officials.{{cite news|title=Nerves of steel|first=Phillip|last=Coorey|date=27 November 2004|newspaper=Herald Sun|via=ProQuest}} Khalil lived in the Republican Palace, Baghdad, with his role including "providing advice on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency, negotiating with Iraqi political leaders and working to rebuild Iraqi government ministries".{{cite news|title=Expats: Peter Khalil|date=30 June 2006|via=ProQuest|first=Martin|last=Daly|newspaper=The Age}} As an Arabic speaker he met frequently with Iraqis, where he "made an effort to meet tribal leaders and religious leaders, academics and professionals as well as average people around the country to get their views".

Khalil returned to Australia in May 2004 and transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as assistant director of Iraq policy. In October 2004 he moved to New York City to take up an appointment as a visiting fellow with the Brookings Institution, working under fellow Australian expatriate Martin Indyk as part of the Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World within the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. After a year he moved to the Eurasia Group.

In February 2007, Khalil was appointed as principal national security adviser to opposition leader Kevin Rudd. He continued to work for Rudd after he became prime minister following the 2007 federal election,{{Cite news |last=Packham |first=Ben |date=28 July 2022 |title=Peter Khalil to take reins of intelligence and security committee |work=The Australian |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/peter-khalil-to-take-reins-of-intelligence-and-security-committee/news-story/ce752ce48836fb4ccdfa03b504fea489 |access-date=6 June 2023 |archive-date=6 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606053942/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/peter-khalil-to-take-reins-of-intelligence-and-security-committee/news-story/ce752ce48836fb4ccdfa03b504fea489 |url-status=live }} later moving to the office of defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon in 2008 as a senior adviser.{{Cite web | url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2008/05/02/tips-and-rumours/ | title=Tips and rumours | date=May 2008 | access-date=11 May 2019 | archive-date=11 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511051442/https://www.crikey.com.au/2008/05/02/tips-and-rumours/ | url-status=live }}{{Cite web | url=http://www.safeguardingaustraliaevents.com.au/2008/2008Speakers.html | title=Safeguarding Australia 2008 -Homeland Security Conference and Exhibition 2008 | access-date=11 May 2019 | archive-date=4 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304173025/http://safeguardingaustraliaevents.com.au/2008/2008Speakers.html | url-status=live }} On the issue of asylum seekers coming to Australia, reports from the US Embassy in 2009 show that Khalil actively advised Rudd to "calmly and rationally put the issue in perspective", specifically "that there were about 60,000 cases of visa over-stayers per year, while only 1000 asylum seekers entered Australian waters by boat by that stage in 2009".{{Cite web|last=Dorling|first=Philip|date=2010-12-15|title=US critical of Rudd's handling of asylum seekers|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/us-critical-of-rudds-handling-of-asylum-seekers-20101215-18y7c.html|access-date=2020-09-30|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029211011/https://www.smh.com.au/national/us-critical-of-rudds-handling-of-asylum-seekers-20101215-18y7c.html|url-status=live}} While working at the Brookings Institution, Khalil was an informant for the Embassy of the United States about internal Labor Party disputes surrounding refugee policy.{{cite news |last1=Stefano |first1=Mark Di |title=This Is What Happened When We Asked A Labor Candidate About Appearing In The Wikileaks Cables |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/khalil-secret-source |work=BuzzFeed News |language=en-au |access-date=28 July 2024 |archive-date=28 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728051508/https://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/khalil-secret-source |url-status=live }}

After leaving his role as a parliamentary adviser, Khalil joined lobbying firm Hawker Britton as an associate. In 2012 he was appointed as director of strategy and communications for the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).{{cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/2012/04/12/sbs-apppoints-peter-khalil-position-director-strategy-communications/|title=SBS {{as written|App|points [sic]}} Peter Khalil to the position of Director, Strategy & Communications|date=12 April 2012|access-date=29 August 2024|publisher=SBS|archive-date=29 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829150818/https://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/2012/04/12/sbs-apppoints-peter-khalil-position-director-strategy-communications/|url-status=live}} He was also appointed to the Victorian Multicultural Commission in 2015,{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/peter-khalil-named-victorian-multicultural-commissioner/news-story/97ccf8f7c0559adfaf743128a89a6b43|title=Peter Khalil named Victorian multicultural commissioner|first=John|last=Masanauskas|date=27 October 2015|access-date=29 August 2024}} and was an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Centre for International Security.{{Cite web | url=https://www.brookings.edu/news-releases/peter-khalil-former-coalition-provisional-authority-official-joins-saban-center-at-brookings-as-a-visiting-fellow/ | title=Peter Khalil, Former Coalition Provisional Authority Official, Joins Saban Center at Brookings as a Visiting Fellow | date=30 November 2001 | access-date=24 October 2018 | archive-date=11 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411125801/https://www.brookings.edu/news-releases/peter-khalil-former-coalition-provisional-authority-official-joins-saban-center-at-brookings-as-a-visiting-fellow/ | url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=Willingham|first=Richard|date=2016-02-02|title=Former Rudd adviser Peter Khalil scores important first win in battle for Wills|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/former-rudd-adviser-peter-khalil-scores-important-first-win-in-battle-for-wills-20160202-gmje5v.html|access-date=2020-09-30|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512172351/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/former-rudd-adviser-peter-khalil-scores-important-first-win-in-battle-for-wills-20160202-gmje5v.html|url-status=live}}

Parliamentary service

Khalil has credited the experiences of his parents with shaping his later political outlook: "They were striving to seek a better life in Australia. They were seeking a life of security, and opportunity and prosperity."{{Cite web|title=Australia should lead a new resettlement deal to tackle the global refugee crisis: Labor MP|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australia-should-lead-a-new-resettlement-deal-to-tackle-the-global-refugee-crisis-labor-mp|access-date=2020-04-27|website=SBS News|language=en|archive-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427174744/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australia-should-lead-a-new-resettlement-deal-to-tackle-the-global-refugee-crisis-labor-mp|url-status=live}} He credited ALP prime minister Bob Hawke for the opportunities that opened up for his family once they had settled.{{Cite news|last=Barnes|first=Josh|date=17 May 2019|title=Wills MPs remember former PM Bob Hawke|work=Herald Sun|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/wills-mps-remember-former-pm-bob-hawke/news-story/244061b5c0eb4d2ca0ec412164baa03d|access-date=30 September 2020}}

Khalil was preselected as the Australian Labor Party candidate for the federal Division of Wills at the 2016 federal election. At the time there was some controversy that the party's affirmative action targets were not being reached.{{Cite news|last=Willingham|first=Richard|date=3 February 2016|title=Labor's affirmative action laws invoked in messy preselection fight for Wills|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labors-affirmative-action-laws-invoked-in-messy-preselection-fight-for-wills-20160203-gmk5e5.html|access-date=3 February 2016|archive-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729154145/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labors-affirmative-action-laws-invoked-in-messy-preselection-fight-for-wills-20160203-gmk5e5.html|url-status=live}} He won both the nomination and the election, becoming the new member for seat in the 2016 Australian federal election, succeeding Kelvin Thomson, and became the first Coptic Christian to be elected to Federal Parliament in Australia.{{Cite web|title=ABC News Interview: Matter of Fact with Stan Grant: Religious Freedom, ALP Early Education Policy|url=https://peterkhalil.com.au/news/abc-news-interview-matter-of-fact-with-stan-grant-religious-freedom-alp-early-education-policy/|access-date=2020-09-28|website=Peter Khalil - Federal Labor Member for Wills|language=en|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919185810/https://peterkhalil.com.au/news/abc-news-interview-matter-of-fact-with-stan-grant-religious-freedom-alp-early-education-policy/|url-status=live}}

He was re-elected in the 2019 Australian federal election increasing his primary vote by 6%. He claims that during that campaign some door knockers volunteering for the Australian Greens told people he was a "war criminal", due to his involvement in the Iraq War where he was director of national security policy in the provisional government.{{Cite web |title=Wills (Key Seat) - Federal Election 2019 Electorate, Candidates, Results {{!}} Australia Votes - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2019/guide/will |access-date=2020-04-24 |website=ABC News |language=en-AU |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112001339/https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2019/guide/will |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|last=Hutchinson|first=Samantha|date=12 February 2018|title=Victorian MP subjected to Greens' 'war criminal' slurs|work=The Australian|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/victorian-mp-subjected-to-greens-war-criminal-slurs/news-story/bf763b2506687abcedc5a58351cbbb5e|access-date=30 September 2018}}

In the 2022 federal election Khalil suffered a -5.4% reduction in his primary vote. He slightly increased his margin, by 0.1% to 58.6% on the Labor-Green two party preferred. He campaigned on his record of constituency work and the prospect of being a member of the next government. {{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Mark |date=2022-04-11 |title=Khalil is sitting pretty in the battle for Wills |url=https://brunswickvoice.com.au/khalil-is-sitting-pretty-in-the-battle-for-wills/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Brunswick Voice |language=en-AU |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328190756/https://brunswickvoice.com.au/khalil-is-sitting-pretty-in-the-battle-for-wills/ |url-status=live }} Joining Government benches for the first time, Khalil was appointed chair of the Joint Parliamentary Committee for Intelligence and Security. In July 2024, Prime Minister Albanese gave Khalil the additional responsibility of being Special Envoy for Social Cohesion, and in January 2025 in an interview with Michael Visontay, for The Jewish Independent, was called the 'government's official tightrope walker'.{{Cite web |last=Bajkowski |first=Julian |date=2024-07-28 |title=Albo's first reshuffle: Full list of changes |url=https://www.themandarin.com.au/251498-albos-first-ministry-reshuffle-full-list-of-changes/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=The Mandarin |language=en-US |archive-date=28 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728094804/https://www.themandarin.com.au/251498-albos-first-ministry-reshuffle-full-list-of-changes/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Visontay |first=Michael |title=Peter Khalil: The government’s official tightrope walker - The Jewish Independent |url=https://thejewishindependent.com.au/peter-khalil-the-governments-official-tightrope-walker |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=thejewishindependent.com.au |language=en}}

Political views

{{As of|2021}}, Khalil was a member of the Labor Right faction.{{cite news |last1=Massola |first1=James |title=What are Labor’s factions and who’s who in the Left and Right? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/what-are-labor-s-factions-and-who-s-who-in-the-left-and-right-20210210-p5718j.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 February 2021 |language=en}}

= Housing =

File:Peter-Khalil-addressing-candidates-forum-in-Wills-2016.jpg

Khalil is proud of having been raised in public housing, writing in 2020 of how "affordable housing helped level the playing field, it offered us real equality of opportunity" and "helped me and others rise out of disadvantage".{{Cite web|last=Khalil|first=Peter|date=2020-07-07|title=Social housing helped me rise, it mustn't be left to decline|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/social-housing-helped-me-rise-it-mustn-t-be-left-to-decline-20200707-p559vj.html|access-date=2020-10-01|website=The Age|language=en|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031230637/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/social-housing-helped-me-rise-it-mustn-t-be-left-to-decline-20200707-p559vj.html|url-status=live}} He is critical of federal government that it has allowed the level of public housing stock to slip since the 1990s. Equally, he was critical of state government authorities for the heavy handed lockdown that seemed to target public housing estates in Melbourne in July 2020 would only "entrench disadvantage".{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Rob|date=2020-07-07|title=Federal Labor MPs question state government's public housing lockdown|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/federal-labor-mps-question-state-government-s-public-housing-lockdown-20200707-p559wv.html|access-date=2020-10-01|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|archive-date=8 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708024734/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/federal-labor-mps-question-state-government-s-public-housing-lockdown-20200707-p559wv.html|url-status=live}}

= Economy and energy =

Khalil conforms to classical Labor concerns for Australia, particularly that its "...wages have been stagnant under this government, there’s been underemployment and a lack of investment".{{Cite web|url=https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6138060912001|title=Economy 'already brittle' before coronavirus and bushfires|website=Sky News Australia| date=4 March 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-04-27}} However, he was an early supporter of Government tax cuts after the 2019 election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/labor-mp-calls-on-party-to-be-ready/11227494|title=Labor MP calls on party to support full tax cut package|date=2019-06-20|website=ABC Radio|language=en|access-date=2020-04-27|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805053239/https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/labor-mp-calls-on-party-to-be-ready/11227494|url-status=live}} On energy, Khalil has withdrawn support from Adani’s Carmichael coal mine because "it doesn't stack up commercially and environmentally".{{Cite news|editor=Katharine Murphy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/may/24/two-more-federal-labor-mps-take-stand-against-adanis-carmichael-coalmine|title=Two more federal Labor MPs take stand against Adani's Carmichael coalmine|date=2017-05-24|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-04-27|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728051510/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/may/24/two-more-federal-labor-mps-take-stand-against-adanis-carmichael-coalmine|url-status=live}} He sees gas differently, believing that as Australia moves towards a less carbon intensive future: "Gas is a good transitional source."{{Cite web|url=https://climatesafety.info/australias-labor-party-still-immersed-in-gas-and-coal/|title=Australia's Labor party still immersed in gas and coal|last=Aidt|first=Mik|date=2019-05-01|website=Centre for Climate Safety|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-27|archive-date=28 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728052610/https://climatesafety.info/australias-labor-party-still-immersed-in-gas-and-coal/|url-status=live}}

= Multi-ethnic Australia =

From his Parliamentary position, Khalil advocates for a welcoming posture towards immigrants. When an assistant minister for multicultural affairs Jason Wood, suggested that "most migrants when they come here don't know what it means to be Australian, Khalil countered that:

Our values of freedom, of equality of opportunity, of a fair go are why new migrants have made and are making a commitment to Australia as their home. This understanding is in fact what has driven the tremendous contributions of millions of migrants who have come to call Australia home...{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/we-came-here-precisely-because-we-knew-what-it-means-to-be-australian-20190606-p51v7n.html|title=We came here precisely because we knew what it means to be Australian|last=Khalil|first=Peter|date=2019-06-06|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2020-04-24|archive-date=16 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616212151/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/we-came-here-precisely-because-we-knew-what-it-means-to-be-australian-20190606-p51v7n.html|url-status=live}}

During the early months of the outbreak of Coronavirus, he spoke up for detainees who have cleared security checks, saying, "Releasing them will both protect the physical and mental health of these refugees and asylum seekers, and assist in the nationwide efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus."{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/doctors-warn-of-deadly-coronavirus-risks-for-refugees-guests-at-melbourne-hotel-20200401-p54g1t.html|title=Doctors warn of deadly coronavirus risks for refugees, guests at Melbourne hotel|last=Hall|first=Bianca|date=2020-04-01|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2020-04-24|archive-date=24 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424102154/https://www.smh.com.au/national/doctors-warn-of-deadly-coronavirus-risks-for-refugees-guests-at-melbourne-hotel-20200401-p54g1t.html|url-status=live}} When an Iranian refugee under Australia's protection, Amir, was blocked from returning to Australia, Khalili's intervention, saw Border Force change its decision.{{Cite news|last=Doherty|first=Ben|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/apr/08/iranian-refugee-finally-home-in-australia-after-first-being-refused-entry-under-travel-ban|title=Iranian refugee finally home in Australia after first being refused entry under travel ban|date=2020-04-08|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-04-24|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728052610/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/apr/08/iranian-refugee-finally-home-in-australia-after-first-being-refused-entry-under-travel-ban|url-status=live}}

= Global democracy =

Khalil is a strong supporter of the Western alliance, having served with Coalition forces in Iraq and with the Brookings Institution as visiting fellow. In an article co-written with Michael Danby and Carl Ungerer, Khalil has argued that, "Bowing to Beijing would be the modern equivalent of the Munich Agreement". He went on to argue for a containment of Chinese totalitarian threats to democratic nations, saying:

It is in Australia's most vital strategic interest that the US presence in our region is not weakened or undermined. This is not because we seek to thwart China's legitimate aspirations and interests. It's because we are a liberal democracy whose interests are best served by a stable, prosperous region in which all countries evolve towards more democratic forms of government, as is indeed happening, most notably in Indonesia.{{Cite web |last1=Danby |first1=Michael |last2=Ungerer |first2=Carl |last3=Khalil |first3=Peter |date=16 September 2010 |title=No winners by appeasing China |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/opinion/no-winners-by-appeasing-china/news-story/c73fc8f82f700edb922ce7a1e7280332 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606055450/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/opinion/no-winners-by-appeasing-china/news-story/c73fc8f82f700edb922ce7a1e7280332 |archive-date=6 June 2023 |access-date=2020-04-24 |website=www.theaustralian.com.au}}

Khalil was appointed the deputy chair to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties in mid 2019, working alongside Dave Sharma. He has stated himself to be "a very strong supporter of the US alliance".{{Cite web |title=Sky News Interview: China, Foreign Donations, AGL, Monash Forum, Company Tax Cuts, Live Export |url=https://peterkhalil.com.au/news/sky-news-interview-china-foreign-donations-agl-monash-forum-company-tax-cuts-live-export/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407144957/https://peterkhalil.com.au/news/sky-news-interview-china-foreign-donations-agl-monash-forum-company-tax-cuts-live-export/ |archive-date=7 April 2020 |access-date=2020-04-24 |website=Peter Khalil - Federal Labor Member for Wills |language=en}} Khalil expresses great concern about the health of global institutions that once could be expected to follow democratic principles, such as the World Health Organization.{{Cite web |date=14 April 2020 |title='Flabbergasted' WHO allowed wet markets to reopen |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6149426240001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418205744/https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6149426240001 |archive-date=18 April 2020 |access-date=2020-04-24 |website=Sky News Australia |language=en}} He's understood to be part of Parliamentary Friends of Democracy with then fellow Labor colleague Senator Kimberley Kitching and several Coalition figures.{{Cite news |last1=Hutchinson |first1=Samantha |last2=Loussikian |first2=Kylar |date=2020-04-22 |title=CBD Melbourne: Virgin data room looks like the Chairman's Lounge |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/cbd-melbourne-virgin-data-room-looks-like-the-chairman-s-lounge-20200422-p54mbw.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426111110/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/cbd-melbourne-virgin-data-room-looks-like-the-chairman-s-lounge-20200422-p54mbw.html |archive-date=26 April 2020 |access-date=2020-04-24 |work=Brisbane Times |language=en}} Khalil has contributed to The Tocsin{{Cite web |date=24 April 2020 |title=John Curtin Research Centre publications |url=https://www.curtinrc.org/publications |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422214900/https://www.curtinrc.org/publications |archive-date=22 April 2020 |access-date=24 April 2020}} the official publication of the social democratic think tank, John Curtin Research Centre.

In May 2020, Khalil joined 20 other Australian parliamentarians, from several parties, in making a statement against the Chinese Communist Party's decision to assume greater control over Hong Kong, the message read, in part, "This is a comprehensive assault on the city’s autonomy, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms. The integrity of one-country, two-systems hangs by a thread."{{Cite web |date=25 May 2020 |title=Hong Kong Free Press |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/05/24/in-full-191-parliamentarians-and-policymakers-from-23-countries-slam-beijing-for-assault-on-hong-kong-freedoms-and-rule-of-law/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200701095405/https://hongkongfp.com/2020/05/24/in-full-191-parliamentarians-and-policymakers-from-23-countries-slam-beijing-for-assault-on-hong-kong-freedoms-and-rule-of-law/ |archive-date=1 July 2020 |access-date=25 May 2020}} In 2022 Khalil was made Australian Co-Chair for the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, a global group who work to ensure that an authoritarian Chinese does not interfere with the governance and principles of the world's democracies.{{Cite web |last=Tomazin |first=Farrah |date=2022-09-15 |title=Australian MPs meet with global peers as part of global China push-back |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/australian-mps-meet-with-global-peers-as-part-of-global-china-push-back-20220916-p5bij2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024221912/https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/australian-mps-meet-with-global-peers-as-part-of-global-china-push-back-20220916-p5bij2.html |archive-date=24 October 2022 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Xi's reappointment should spur democracies to boost their defenses |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Xi-s-reappointment-should-spur-democracies-to-boost-their-defenses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728052611/https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Xi-s-reappointment-should-spur-democracies-to-boost-their-defenses |archive-date=28 July 2024 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB}}

Awards

Khalil was awarded the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal for his service in Iraq.

Personal life

Khalil met his wife Lydia while working in Iraq, where she was working as a counterterrorism adviser. {{As of|2024}} he lives in Pascoe Vale.{{Cite web |title=The private interests of Peter Khalil MP |url=https://openpolitics.au/47/peter-khalil |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=openpolitics.au |language=en |archive-date=28 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728052538/https://openpolitics.au/47/peter-khalil |url-status=live }} Khalil has investment properties in Pascoe Vale and Murumbeena.

Khalil supports the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League and the Coburg Football Club in the Victorian Football League.{{Cite web |url=https://www.govconnex.com/insights/each-afl-teams-biggest-political-fan |title=Each AFL Teams Biggest Political Fan |access-date=8 July 2024 |archive-date=4 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504071154/https://www.govconnex.com/insights/each-afl-teams-biggest-political-fan |url-status=live }}{{cite tweet |title=We are excited to announce that @peterkhalilmp has come on board as a junior partner for the 2024 season! |user=CoburgFC|number=1759761521402679378 |author=Coburg Football Club |access-date=28 July 2024 |archive-date=28 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728072400/https://twitter.com/CoburgFC/status/1759761521402679378 |url-status=live }} He is a member of the Australian Workers Union.

References

Category:1973 births

Category:Living people

Category:Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Australia

Category:Labor Right politicians

Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Wills

Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives

Category:Australian people of Egyptian descent

Category:Australian people of Coptic descent

Category:Australian expatriates in Iraq

Category:Politicians from Melbourne

Category:Australian MPs 2016–2019

Category:Australian MPs 2019–2022

Category:Australian MPs 2022–2025