Australia to provide defensive military assistance to Gulf

Iran’s reprisal attacks continue to escalate, already at a scale and depth we have not seen before; 12 countries in the region are continuing to be targeted.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) alone has been forced to shoot down over 1,500 rockets and drones. This growing wave of dangerous and destabilising attacks from Iran puts civilian lives at risk, including Australian lives.  

In responding to requests, Australia will deploy an E-7A Wedgetail to the Gulf to help protect and defend Australians and other civilians.  

Opening remarks - Parliament House, Canberra

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Prime Minister and your delegation, you are very welcome in Australia. Our two nations share values. We share common interests as well. One of the things that we've been discussing over a period of time is as middle powers, how we can cooperate across the whole sphere of economic, defence, social, environmental relationships as well. We're both impacted by climate change, and one of the practical ways that we assist each other is your firefighters helping us and our firefighters helping you.

Retirement of Pat Turner AM

The Australian Government acknowledges the outstanding leadership of Pat Turner AM as she concludes her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NAACHO) and Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks. 

A proud Gudanji-Arrernte woman, Pat Turner is a true giant of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health. 

Pat is a fierce and formidable advocate and has dedicated her life to the wellbeing and self-determination of First Nations people and communities.

Why we're building high speed rail

The time has come for high-speed rail in Australia — for the good of Australians and, as the business case now shows, for the good of the economy.

In our first term, we legislated the High Speed Rail Authority to develop that business case. Now that it is complete, we can continue turning that vision into reality. We’re doing that by moving the Sydney to Newcastle stage into the development phase.

This is a big project worthy of a big nation. While the costs are necessarily high, the returns will be even greater.

Press conference - Sydney

PRIME MINISTER: Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against what is an oppressive regime. Ayatollah Khamenei was responsible for the regime's ballistic missile and nuclear program, support for armed proxies and its brutal acts of violence and intimidation against its own people. This claimed countless lives in Iran, but also internationally. He is responsible for orchestrating attacks on Australian soil. His passing will not be mourned. We have not been immune from the impacts of the regime's actions right here in Australia.