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The shadow defence minister, James Patterson, says joining the ongoing war in the Middle East “would have to meet an incredibly high bar” but Australia should “consider” any requests from Gulf countries for military assistance.
Cabinet’s national security committee met yesterday to consider requests for Australia to provide help to countries feeling the brunt of Tehran’s missile attack, sparked by bombings ordered by the US president and Israel. Appearing on ABC’s 7.30 program last night, Patterson said he had requested to be briefed on the meeting.
Australia’s core national interest is decided in the Indo-Pacific … This by the sound of it … [is] a friendly nation to Australia, perhaps a Gulf state, that has been on the receiving end of some of the indiscriminate rocket fire from Iran … has asked for our assistance …
I think we should consider that request, although we have to carefully consider whether or not we have the capabilities available to contribute and that it would not in any way detract from our own national interests.
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Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/mar/10/iran-football-team-tony-burke-anthony-albanese-labor-angus-taylor-coalition-oil-price-inflation-federal-parliament-ntwnfb
Author : Martin Farrer
Publish date : 2026-03-09 19:32:00
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