Australia made ‘irrelevant' after US strikes on Iran: Sharma
Australia's former ambassador to Israel and Liberal senator Dave Sharma says Anthony Albanese has made Australia 'irrelevant' after the US launched strikes on Iran and the Prime Minister failed to secure a meeting with Donald Trump.
Speaking to Sky on Monday, Senator Sharma said while Australia never had a 'huge' amount of influence, 'we've largely made ourselves irrelevant through this conflict'.
'I mean, look, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn't have a meeting with Trump where this would have obviously come up if he'd had a discussion,' he said.
'We had Richard Marles on the television yesterday calling for de-escalation at the very same time, almost, that US B-2 bombers (were) flying from Missouri (and) were striking nuclear targets in Iran.'
He said Labor had 'dealt ourselves out of a traditional role' as being a contributor and 'major player' in international discussions.
'No one listens to our views seriously anymore in the on these issues, particularly in the Middle East,' he said.
'(On) Israel, the relationship with this government is very bad.
'The United States, we don't yet seem to have a relationship with the new Trump administration, or at least key parts of it.'
Hastie lashes 'flat-footed' Albo
Acting opposition foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie has accused Mr Albanese of a 'flat-footed' response to the US attack and having poor instincts on the issue.
Speaking to ABC Radio National on Monday morning, Mr Hastie said he was happy to see his counterpart Penny Wong had backed in the US on the strikes however the delayed response demonstrated Mr Albanese' mismanagement.
'I'm glad we have bipartisanship on this—that the world, as she said, has agreed Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon,' he said.
'We support action to prevent that, which is why we supported the US strikes yesterday. I think, though, what yesterday demonstrated was that the Prime Minister is flat-footed.
'His instincts aren't great on this, and he should have called an NSC meeting yesterday for an event of such significance. Instead, it's happening this morning.'
Mr Hastie added the strikes 'needed to happen' in order to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
'Iran would not come to the table, and the risk of them getting a nuclear weapon was huge, and it was a direct threat to regional stability and world peace,' he said.
'Intelligence agencies will debate when Iran planned to break out and put all the componentry together and have an actual nuclear weapon.
'But the risk was there, and that's why action was taken, and I think that's the context in which we need to see the strikes that took place yesterday.'
Albo's 'deathly silence' blasted
Nationals leader David Littleproud and independent Jacqui Lambie have also called on Mr Albanese to address Australia's stance on the conflict and US involvement.
Mr Littleproud labelled Mr Albanese not having made a public statement as of Monday morning a 'deathly silence'.
'This was a decisive, strategic act that will make the world safer,' Mr Littleproud said.
'Now, we don't want to see a protracted conflict. And it sounds as though the United States doesn't want to be involved in a protracted Middle East conflict.
'There's no way in the world that we could get ourselves involved in that.
'We do need to be able to defend ourselves first when we've got Virgin pilots finding Chinese ships in our waters. There is an underinvestment here that needs to be rectified.'
Mr Littleproud claimed the move showed the government was trying to 'sit on the fence' due to domestic politics.
Senator Lambie urged against committing Australian forces that were 'not ready'.
'What I do know is that Trump said, 'You've got two weeks', and within 48 hours you took them out,' she said.
'So if there was any sort of relationship still ongoing there that is now gone, that's the first thing.
'I think the other thing is that you Americans said you weren't going back into a war in the Middle East. Well, you just went back in.'
'But what I will say is that we certainly can't back you up this time, and we don't owe you anything.'
'I say this to (Mr Albanese) – we are not fit for purpose to be involved in any war. The most that you can offer anywhere around the world right now is peacekeepers.
'Do not follow the USA into this war for 20 years – (our troops] are not ready.'
'Time for clarity': Ex-PM's call
On Sunday, former prime minister Scott Morrison accused the Albanese Labor government of not showing enough 'clarity' on the Israel-Iran conflict.
'I think there's been far too much ambiguity about this from Australia, far too much ambiguity, and it's time for clarity,' Mr Morrison said.
'And the clarity is we were dealing with a theocratic authoritarian state that had sponsored an attack on close friends in Israel back on the seventh of October, and they have shown their true colours, and Iran is not a friend of Australia.'
Mr Morrison echoed these sentiments while speaking to 2GB's Ben Fordham on Monday morning, saying the evening news was the time to 'ensure that response was made clear'.
'When things are as they are, Australia
'When things are as they are, Australia needs to know where it stands and its allies need to know where Australia stands. I think that's why clarity is so important,' he said.
Following reports Mr Albanese would give comment after a National Security Committee meeting on Monday, Mr Morrison said it could have met earlier but hoped they would 'come out with a very strong statement in support of our allies'.
More to come
Originally published as Liberal senator Dave Sharma says Aus made 'irrelevant' after US strikes on Iran
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
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'We aren't a central player in this conflict': Albanese backs US attack on Iran
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined to say whether the United States made use of an Australian military base for its attack on Iran, while confirming his government's support. Asked if a facility like the secretive US military base at Pine Gap in the Northern Territory, or intelligence gathered there, had been used in the attack launched on Sunday, he said: "We don't talk about intelligence, obviously, but we've made it very clear this was a unilateral action taken by the United States." "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon," Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Monday, addressing the media for the first time since the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran about 24 hours earlier. "We support action to prevent that ... That is what this is. The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran's nuclear program." In response to a question about whether the attacks were in breach of international law, Mr Albanese did not directly answer. "Iran has an interest ... In ensuring that there is not an escalation in the region," he said. "The United States have made clear their position, and we continue to call for dialogue. Had Iran complied with the very reasonable requests that were made, including by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], then circumstances would have been different." He said Australia's support of the US bombings was consistent with comments made over the past week about a need for de-escalation. "We are not a central player in this conflict," he said. The Prime Minister said he remained "deeply concerned about any escalation in the region." "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war," he said. "We've been upfront about the challenge facing the international community that is dealing with the threat posed by any Iranian nuclear weapons program and dealing with the risk of regional escalation, and that's why Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations. We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region." When asked if he had been briefed by the Trump administration before the bombings, Mr Albanese repeated: "This was a unilateral action." The Prime Minister's press conference followed criticism by the Coalition for his decision to remain silent in the aftermath of the attacks on Sunday. The government initially released a cautiously worded statement from an unnamed spokesperson, saying Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program was a threat to international peace and security while calling for "de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy". Opposition home affairs spokesperson Andrew Hastie told Sky this "was not good enough." The Prime Minister "should have called a National Security Committee meeting, and he should have stood up and spoken to the Australian people," Mr Hastie said. "This is a very significant moment, and he was nowhere to be seen ... The Coalition supports this military action by the United States." Earlier on Monday, ACT Labor senator and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC Canberra radio: "We certainly support action that's been taken to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon." When asked if this meant US President Donald Trump "did the right thing" in bombing Iran, Senator Gallagher responded: "I'll use the Foreign Minister's language that she's used, because she's the spokesperson for the government on these matters." "I understand people's concerns, it's been raised with me over the weekend," she said. "Most Australians just want to see peace in the Middle East. They don't want to see the loss of civilian lives. "They don't want to see the damage that's been done to communities in the Middle East that we've been witnessing in Gaza and now are seeing in Iran [and] in Lebanon." Senator Wong told reporters in Canberra on Monday morning that Iran "is not in compliance with its obligations under the non-proliferation arrangements that it has signed up to." "What happens now matters ... We do call for diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue because the world does not want to see full-scale war in the Middle East." She said about 1300 Australians and their families were registered with DFAT seeking assistance to return to Australia from Israel, along with 2900 Australians and their families trapped in Iran. The government was seeking to make use of a potential window to fly citizens out of Israel if the airspace opened for "a limited period", she said. "In Iran, it is a very difficult situation ... We've deployed Australian officials to the Azerbaijani border, so if Australians do get there, we can provide them with support." Greens defence and foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge blasted the Albanese government for supporting "the illegal bombing of Iran." Senator Shoebridge said the attack was "unprincipled, contrary to international law and another blow to international peace." "The Greens condemn Labor's support for the US attack," he said. "The decision to side with Trump and Netenytanu, reckless warmongers, over the people and peace will follow the Albanese government for decades to come." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined to say whether the United States made use of an Australian military base for its attack on Iran, while confirming his government's support. Asked if a facility like the secretive US military base at Pine Gap in the Northern Territory, or intelligence gathered there, had been used in the attack launched on Sunday, he said: "We don't talk about intelligence, obviously, but we've made it very clear this was a unilateral action taken by the United States." "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon," Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Monday, addressing the media for the first time since the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran about 24 hours earlier. "We support action to prevent that ... That is what this is. The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran's nuclear program." In response to a question about whether the attacks were in breach of international law, Mr Albanese did not directly answer. "Iran has an interest ... In ensuring that there is not an escalation in the region," he said. "The United States have made clear their position, and we continue to call for dialogue. Had Iran complied with the very reasonable requests that were made, including by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], then circumstances would have been different." He said Australia's support of the US bombings was consistent with comments made over the past week about a need for de-escalation. "We are not a central player in this conflict," he said. The Prime Minister said he remained "deeply concerned about any escalation in the region." "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war," he said. "We've been upfront about the challenge facing the international community that is dealing with the threat posed by any Iranian nuclear weapons program and dealing with the risk of regional escalation, and that's why Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations. We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region." When asked if he had been briefed by the Trump administration before the bombings, Mr Albanese repeated: "This was a unilateral action." The Prime Minister's press conference followed criticism by the Coalition for his decision to remain silent in the aftermath of the attacks on Sunday. The government initially released a cautiously worded statement from an unnamed spokesperson, saying Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program was a threat to international peace and security while calling for "de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy". Opposition home affairs spokesperson Andrew Hastie told Sky this "was not good enough." The Prime Minister "should have called a National Security Committee meeting, and he should have stood up and spoken to the Australian people," Mr Hastie said. "This is a very significant moment, and he was nowhere to be seen ... The Coalition supports this military action by the United States." Earlier on Monday, ACT Labor senator and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC Canberra radio: "We certainly support action that's been taken to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon." When asked if this meant US President Donald Trump "did the right thing" in bombing Iran, Senator Gallagher responded: "I'll use the Foreign Minister's language that she's used, because she's the spokesperson for the government on these matters." "I understand people's concerns, it's been raised with me over the weekend," she said. "Most Australians just want to see peace in the Middle East. They don't want to see the loss of civilian lives. "They don't want to see the damage that's been done to communities in the Middle East that we've been witnessing in Gaza and now are seeing in Iran [and] in Lebanon." Senator Wong told reporters in Canberra on Monday morning that Iran "is not in compliance with its obligations under the non-proliferation arrangements that it has signed up to." "What happens now matters ... We do call for diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue because the world does not want to see full-scale war in the Middle East." She said about 1300 Australians and their families were registered with DFAT seeking assistance to return to Australia from Israel, along with 2900 Australians and their families trapped in Iran. The government was seeking to make use of a potential window to fly citizens out of Israel if the airspace opened for "a limited period", she said. "In Iran, it is a very difficult situation ... We've deployed Australian officials to the Azerbaijani border, so if Australians do get there, we can provide them with support." Greens defence and foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge blasted the Albanese government for supporting "the illegal bombing of Iran." Senator Shoebridge said the attack was "unprincipled, contrary to international law and another blow to international peace." "The Greens condemn Labor's support for the US attack," he said. "The decision to side with Trump and Netenytanu, reckless warmongers, over the people and peace will follow the Albanese government for decades to come." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined to say whether the United States made use of an Australian military base for its attack on Iran, while confirming his government's support. Asked if a facility like the secretive US military base at Pine Gap in the Northern Territory, or intelligence gathered there, had been used in the attack launched on Sunday, he said: "We don't talk about intelligence, obviously, but we've made it very clear this was a unilateral action taken by the United States." "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon," Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Monday, addressing the media for the first time since the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran about 24 hours earlier. "We support action to prevent that ... That is what this is. The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran's nuclear program." In response to a question about whether the attacks were in breach of international law, Mr Albanese did not directly answer. "Iran has an interest ... In ensuring that there is not an escalation in the region," he said. "The United States have made clear their position, and we continue to call for dialogue. Had Iran complied with the very reasonable requests that were made, including by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], then circumstances would have been different." He said Australia's support of the US bombings was consistent with comments made over the past week about a need for de-escalation. "We are not a central player in this conflict," he said. The Prime Minister said he remained "deeply concerned about any escalation in the region." "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war," he said. "We've been upfront about the challenge facing the international community that is dealing with the threat posed by any Iranian nuclear weapons program and dealing with the risk of regional escalation, and that's why Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations. We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region." When asked if he had been briefed by the Trump administration before the bombings, Mr Albanese repeated: "This was a unilateral action." The Prime Minister's press conference followed criticism by the Coalition for his decision to remain silent in the aftermath of the attacks on Sunday. The government initially released a cautiously worded statement from an unnamed spokesperson, saying Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program was a threat to international peace and security while calling for "de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy". Opposition home affairs spokesperson Andrew Hastie told Sky this "was not good enough." The Prime Minister "should have called a National Security Committee meeting, and he should have stood up and spoken to the Australian people," Mr Hastie said. "This is a very significant moment, and he was nowhere to be seen ... The Coalition supports this military action by the United States." Earlier on Monday, ACT Labor senator and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC Canberra radio: "We certainly support action that's been taken to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon." When asked if this meant US President Donald Trump "did the right thing" in bombing Iran, Senator Gallagher responded: "I'll use the Foreign Minister's language that she's used, because she's the spokesperson for the government on these matters." "I understand people's concerns, it's been raised with me over the weekend," she said. "Most Australians just want to see peace in the Middle East. They don't want to see the loss of civilian lives. "They don't want to see the damage that's been done to communities in the Middle East that we've been witnessing in Gaza and now are seeing in Iran [and] in Lebanon." Senator Wong told reporters in Canberra on Monday morning that Iran "is not in compliance with its obligations under the non-proliferation arrangements that it has signed up to." "What happens now matters ... We do call for diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue because the world does not want to see full-scale war in the Middle East." She said about 1300 Australians and their families were registered with DFAT seeking assistance to return to Australia from Israel, along with 2900 Australians and their families trapped in Iran. The government was seeking to make use of a potential window to fly citizens out of Israel if the airspace opened for "a limited period", she said. "In Iran, it is a very difficult situation ... We've deployed Australian officials to the Azerbaijani border, so if Australians do get there, we can provide them with support." Greens defence and foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge blasted the Albanese government for supporting "the illegal bombing of Iran." Senator Shoebridge said the attack was "unprincipled, contrary to international law and another blow to international peace." "The Greens condemn Labor's support for the US attack," he said. "The decision to side with Trump and Netenytanu, reckless warmongers, over the people and peace will follow the Albanese government for decades to come." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined to say whether the United States made use of an Australian military base for its attack on Iran, while confirming his government's support. Asked if a facility like the secretive US military base at Pine Gap in the Northern Territory, or intelligence gathered there, had been used in the attack launched on Sunday, he said: "We don't talk about intelligence, obviously, but we've made it very clear this was a unilateral action taken by the United States." "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon," Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Monday, addressing the media for the first time since the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran about 24 hours earlier. "We support action to prevent that ... That is what this is. The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran's nuclear program." In response to a question about whether the attacks were in breach of international law, Mr Albanese did not directly answer. "Iran has an interest ... In ensuring that there is not an escalation in the region," he said. "The United States have made clear their position, and we continue to call for dialogue. Had Iran complied with the very reasonable requests that were made, including by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], then circumstances would have been different." He said Australia's support of the US bombings was consistent with comments made over the past week about a need for de-escalation. "We are not a central player in this conflict," he said. The Prime Minister said he remained "deeply concerned about any escalation in the region." "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war," he said. "We've been upfront about the challenge facing the international community that is dealing with the threat posed by any Iranian nuclear weapons program and dealing with the risk of regional escalation, and that's why Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations. We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region." When asked if he had been briefed by the Trump administration before the bombings, Mr Albanese repeated: "This was a unilateral action." The Prime Minister's press conference followed criticism by the Coalition for his decision to remain silent in the aftermath of the attacks on Sunday. The government initially released a cautiously worded statement from an unnamed spokesperson, saying Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program was a threat to international peace and security while calling for "de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy". Opposition home affairs spokesperson Andrew Hastie told Sky this "was not good enough." The Prime Minister "should have called a National Security Committee meeting, and he should have stood up and spoken to the Australian people," Mr Hastie said. "This is a very significant moment, and he was nowhere to be seen ... The Coalition supports this military action by the United States." Earlier on Monday, ACT Labor senator and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC Canberra radio: "We certainly support action that's been taken to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon." When asked if this meant US President Donald Trump "did the right thing" in bombing Iran, Senator Gallagher responded: "I'll use the Foreign Minister's language that she's used, because she's the spokesperson for the government on these matters." "I understand people's concerns, it's been raised with me over the weekend," she said. "Most Australians just want to see peace in the Middle East. They don't want to see the loss of civilian lives. "They don't want to see the damage that's been done to communities in the Middle East that we've been witnessing in Gaza and now are seeing in Iran [and] in Lebanon." Senator Wong told reporters in Canberra on Monday morning that Iran "is not in compliance with its obligations under the non-proliferation arrangements that it has signed up to." "What happens now matters ... We do call for diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue because the world does not want to see full-scale war in the Middle East." She said about 1300 Australians and their families were registered with DFAT seeking assistance to return to Australia from Israel, along with 2900 Australians and their families trapped in Iran. The government was seeking to make use of a potential window to fly citizens out of Israel if the airspace opened for "a limited period", she said. "In Iran, it is a very difficult situation ... We've deployed Australian officials to the Azerbaijani border, so if Australians do get there, we can provide them with support." Greens defence and foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge blasted the Albanese government for supporting "the illegal bombing of Iran." Senator Shoebridge said the attack was "unprincipled, contrary to international law and another blow to international peace." "The Greens condemn Labor's support for the US attack," he said. "The decision to side with Trump and Netenytanu, reckless warmongers, over the people and peace will follow the Albanese government for decades to come."
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
PM Anthony Albanese is questioned on local terror threat level amid US strikes on Iran
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sought to allay fears about an increase in terror threats in Australia, following the US bombing of nuclear facilities in Iran at the weekend. America's Donald Trump administration confirmed it had completed an attack on three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Concern has been mounting the unilateral action could increase the terror threat in western cities, including Australia. Iran threatened the US with 'sleeper cell' attacks if they were attacked, according to NBC. The message was sent to Trump through an intermediary at the G7 in Canada last week, which forced the US president to leave the summit early to deal with the crisis in the Middle East. On Monday, Albanese was asked about the terror threat, which is currently 'probable'. 'Look, we are constantly monitoring (the threat),' Albanese said. 'The ASIO Director-General and our security intelligence agencies are constantly engaged in monitoring. There's been no change in any of the advice that has been issued.' Later in the press conference, Albanese touched on the possibility Aussies could become targets of attacks: 'Obviously we're opposed to any action against Australians or indeed against anyone else.' Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was looking into reviewing advice for Australians travelling to the Middle East. 'There are always risks not only from escalation in the region but also potential for risk more broadly,' Wong said. 'I indicated publicly this morning that I have asked my department to consider whether there are any ... if there's any alteration to travel advice more generally, which we will obviously make sure is updated.' Albanese was asked a number of questions about the use of Australian military support in the region. He refused to answer if Australia had intelligence in Iran 'imminently' at the point of securing a nuclear weapon, prior to the attacks. 'Well, we don't talk about intelligence matters, but we confirm, of course, that this was a unilateral action by the United States,' Albanese told reporters. Albanese was questioned if his government was briefed by the US, prior to the attack on Iran. Albanese confirmed it was 'unilateral' action by the country. He confirmed he has not spoken to President Donald Trump since the G7 summit. Albanese wrapped-up the press conference by saying Iran still had a significant stake in diplomacy and peace, even after the bombing of its nuclear sites. 'Iran has an interest, an interest very clearly as well,' he said. 'I believe in in ensuring that there is not an escalation in the region. 'That is the incentive that they have. The United States have made clear their position, and we continue to call for dialogue. 'Had Iran complied with the very reasonable requests that were made, including by the IAEA, then circumstances would have been different.'
