Australia and European Union poised to sign trade deal

Michael Read - Mar 17, 2026

Australia and the European Union could sign a long-awaited free trade deal as soon as next week, as escalating global trade tensions force them back to the negotiating table after years of deadlock.

The negotiations collapsed in October 2023 over Australia’s demands for greater market access for locally produced beef, sheep meat, dairy and sugar.

But momentum to finalise a deal gathered steam as US President Donald Trump waged a trade war and imposed swingeing tariffs globally.

The EU has also clinched deals with South American countries and India.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was expected in Australia as soon as next week to finalise the deal, after telling EU leaders on Monday that talks were “in the final stretch”, according to Bloomberg.

“This will mark yet another milestone in diversifying Europe’s international partnerships,” she said.

The accord would enhance “Europe’s ability to shape global standards and ensure resilient supply chains”.

Access for Australian red meat exports to Europe remains a sticking point, but the matter can be settled only at the leader level by Albanese and von der Leyen.

Trade Minister Don Farrell met virtually overnight with his EU counterpart, Maros Sefcovic, to cover off on outstanding issues.

“I am confident we can do a deal and look forward to continuing to work with him to reach an agreement that is in Australia’s national interest,” Farrell told The Australian Financial Review.

The deal has been held up by opposition from Irish and French farmers who are wary of the prospect of greater competition from Australian meat exports.

However, Ireland’s ambassador to Australia, Fiona Flood, said on Tuesday she looked forward to closing the trade deal with Australia.

“I think we can all be very hopeful that, in these turbulent times, it’s a beacon of hope that we can close that trade deal,” she told the ABC.

A potential compromise on meat exports could mean Australia cuts or drops the luxury car tax, which was introduced in 2000 to protect the now-extinct local car manufacturing industry and which disproportionately affects European manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The tax levies an additional 33¢ on every dollar spent above $80,567 for petrol and diesel vehicles or $91,387 for hybrids and electric vehicles sold, raising $1.2 billion a year revenue for the federal government.

Europeans, concerned their vehicles have been priced out of the Australian market by cheaper Chinese electric vehicles, want to see the tax relaxed.

The free trade deal was also expected to include a two-way mobility agreement, where highly skilled professionals and investors would be able to work in Europe more easily.

It would not, however, allow Australians to live and work freely in the EU, nor would it allow Europeans to live and work freely in Australia.

Since negotiations for an FTA began in 2018, the EU had demanded Australian businesses stop using so-called “geographical indicator” product names, arguing they should be the sole domain of European growers.

However, it appeared a compromise had been reached allowing Australian growers to continue using the product labels, according to two sources speaking on condition of anonymity, although they stressed that negotiations were continuing.

https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/australia-and-european-union-poised-to-ink-trade-deal-20260317-p5obw0

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Winston Peters warns Australia and NZ made ‘serious mistakes’ on fuel security

BEN PACKHAM - 18 March 2026

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New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters says his country and Australia should have been better prepared for the Iran war oil crisis and made “serious mistakes” in allowing fuel refineries to close because they were “too cocky” about the state of the world.

In an interview with The Australian, Mr Peters said the trans-Tasman allies needed to keep “cool heads” on the conflict and take a cautious view of Donald Trump’s requests for support ­“because the message changes by the day”.

Mr Peters’ warning came as ­Defence Minister Richard Marles revealed targeting data on Iranian forces collected by Australia’s E-7A Wedgetail in the Persian Gulf was being fed to the US and Israel, but he insisted the aircraft was a “fundamentally defensive capability”.

Mr Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong sat down in Canberra on Tuesday for annual ANZMIN “2+2” talks with Mr Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins, at which they agreed to a new plan for the nations’ defence forces to co-operate more closely and develop capabilities together.

While New Zealand has about 52 days’ fuel supply in storage or en route to the country compared with Australia’s 30 days, Mr Peters said both countries had been caught off-guard by the conflict and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which choked off about 20 per cent of the world’s oil ­shipments.

“You’re learning that some of your refineries should have been kept open; so are we,” he said.

“These are not extremes we’re at now, but we should have always had those contingencies covered off in all of our forward planning. We made some very, very … serious mistakes by being far too cocky about the world circumstance we’re in. Here comes the present reality, right here, right now. Things are very unstable. We hope we get out of here. But it would have been … great to have the comfort of a backup just in case anything went wrong.”

Australia has two remaining refineries, down from eight in the early 2000s, while New Zealand no longer has any domestic refineries.

US allies have baulked at answering the US President’s call for help to secure oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, with Australia ruling out sending a warship to the region before a formal request was received.

Mr Peters said it was vital for Australia and New Zealand to “keep our eyes wide open and consult with each other before we jump in and make a mistake”. “We have been in so many other theatres, but we’re watching this with the greatest of caution,” he said.

The government committed the Wedgetail aircraft, 85 crew members and an undisclosed number of air-to-air missiles to the region following a request from the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Marles said data collected by the hi-tech surveillance aircraft was being processed by the US’s Combined Air Operations Centre – making it also available to Israel – to ensure a “co-ordinated air defence of the countries of the Gulf”.

The government has sought to draw a line under the contribution, with Transport Minister Catherine King declaring this week: “We won’t be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz.”

Mr Marles endorsed the position on Tuesday, declaring “we’re not contemplating sending a ship”. But he said the discussion was also premature as no request for a ship had been received from the US.

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Mr Peters said he was concerned over growing instability in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting China’s surprise live-fire drill in the Tasman Sea in February 2025, and its firing of a ballistic missile which landed 700km from French Polynesia in September 2024.

“You can’t fly a missile all the way to the outskirts of French Polynesia and say you’re just testing it, or have an exercise in the Tasman Sea without thinking people might be alarmed about what’s going on here,” Mr Peters said.

He said the lessons of the incidents were to “keep your eyes wide open”.

“We did put it to the Chinese. We asked them, ‘Was the reason for the Tasman tests to see whether the trajectory of missile utilities or armaments are different in the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere? Is that the reason why you had the test in the Tasman Sea? We’re still waiting for an answer.”

Mr Peters expressed concern about ongoing deportations of New Zealand-born criminals from Australia after their sentences were over. Anthony Albanese ended automatic deportations of New Zealanders convicted of serious offences in Australia under the Migration Act’s “Section 501” character test amid a backlash from Wellington.

A new “common sense” system was introduced, allowing discretionary treatment for Kiwi-born offenders to remain in Australia if they had spent most of their lives in the country.

Mr Peters said s501 deportations had “gone down a bit” since the 2022 commitment but remained too high for his country’s liking.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/winston-peters-warns-australia-and-nz-made-serious-mistakes-on-fuel-security/news-story/b2964b9a0f04facb7daf9eaa0114cb47

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PM warns Australians are stockpiling petrol causing shortages that shouldn’t exist

Samantha Maiden - March 18, 2026

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Anthony Albanese pleaded with motorists not to panic buy petrol, warning that surging demand puts unnecessary pressure on supplies.

Ahead of a planned fuel summit, the Prime Minister delivered a blunt message to drivers as the government also considers longer term measures including extending the life of two oil refineries beyond 2027.

“My message to Australians as well is to not take more fuel than you need,” Mr Albanese told reporters in Tasmania.

“That is how you can help think of others, be a good neighbour, a good community member and a good Australian.”

In his strongest comments to date, Mr Albanese warned that recent behaviour at the bowser was causing bigger problems than the fuel supply.

“It’s not the Australian way. Just take what you need, be sensible.”

“There has been, in some places, a doubling of demand that shouldn’t occur.

“We do have fuel security here in this nation, but we need to be sensible about these issues, and that’s my message.”

Crackdown on Petrol Pricing

He also warned service stations against exploiting the situation, putting them on notice over pricing.

“My message to service stations which are overcharging is that the ACCC will take action against any inappropriate behaviour,” he said.

“There’s no place for any company to try to take advantage of this to increase their profits at the expense of Australians.”

Mr Albanese pointed to strengthened enforcement powers, adding: “Well, we’ve doubled the potential fines, and we’ve empowered the ACCC to do that, to make sure that consumers’ interests are looked after, and will continue to do so.”

Despite the surge in demand, Mr Albanese sought to reassure motorists that supplies remain stable.

“The fuel is arriving as expected,” he said.

“At this point in time, we’re continuing to monitor all of what is going on in global markets as well, but we continue to see ships arriving as has been scheduled, and that is a good thing.”

Rationing Concerns Raised

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles declined to rule out fuel rationing in Australia amid this week’s panic buying before Treasurer Jim Chalmers walked back the comments.

But asked whether the government would ever consider fuel rations as an additional measure, Mr Marles did not rule out the possibility.

“Obviously, this is a function of how long this conflict continues, and that’s not something that I can answer in terms of what’s going to happen,” he said.

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ACCC Intervention

It comes after news Australia’s competition watchdog would haul in major fuel companies and retailers into an emergency meeting on Tuesday amid concerns about panic buying and price hikes.

Despite the government insisting there are over 30 days of fuel left in stockpiles, there are fears fuel rationing could loom if Australians continue panic buying.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the meeting would force fuel companies to explain price rises that have raised alarm within the regulator.

“I’ve made it very clear that if they find evidence of misconduct, we expect the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) to throw the book at them,’’ Dr Chalmers said.

“Some of the steep increases in petrol prices we saw shortly after the outbreak of this conflict have really raised concerns at the ACCC.”

Dr Chalmers said the government had already moved to strengthen oversight of petrol pricing and increase penalties for wrongdoing.

“This is why we’ve increased surveillance, we’re doubling the penalties and we’ve empowered the consumer watchdog to get to the bottom of what’s going on here,” he said.

Fuel prices surge

Australia is experiencing a sharp rise in fuel prices, with wholesale and retail petrol and diesel costs climbing significantly over the past three weeks.

The ACCC’s latest weekly fuel price update, covering Australia’s eight capital cities, shows that crude oil and refined fuel benchmarks have spiked since late February.

The commission expressed concern about diesel availability in regional and rural areas, as rising prices coincide with potential supply pressures.

“We have heard concerns from residents, businesses, and primary producers about the impacts of diesel shortages,” an ACCC spokesperson said. “We are engaging with industry participants and other agencies to ensure effective fuel distribution and are ready to assist where it provides a net public benefit.”

Across the eight capital cities, wholesale petrol prices increased by an average of 42 cents per litre.

Perth experienced the largest petrol increase at 59.5 cents per litre, while Sydney saw the biggest diesel spike at 67.8 cents per litre.

https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/pm-warns-australians-are-stockpiling-petrol-causing-shortages-that-shouldnt-exist/news-story/3521c6b47fc0339e9ba0052421f55c65

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Emergency National Cabinet meeting called over fuel supply

Chris Johnson - 18 March 2026

Anthony Albanese has called an emergency meeting of National Cabinet to discuss Australia’s fuel supply, as shortages worsen across the globe due to the Middle East war.

It will be conducted virtually from Tasmania on Thursday (19 March) with the leaders of all government jurisdictions, and will have a particular focus on getting fuel to regional outlets.

Speaking in Burnie on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said he will chair the meeting from Hobart and will ask each state and territory to appoint someone to coordinate with the Commonwealth on fuel supply issues.

Earlier in Sydney, the PM told an Australian Automotive Dealer Association breakfast meeting that Australia will not be immune from the economic impacts of the war.

“The war in the Middle East is disrupting supply chains, pushing up fuel prices and adding to pressure on inflation, here and right around the world,” Mr Albanese said.

“Australians understand this. People are not just reading about this conflict in the news, they are seeing the economic consequences in their daily lives … and it is obvious, but important to say, that the longer this war goes on, the more significant those effects will be.”

The PM pointed out that the current war is the third major shock to hit the global economy this decade, following COVID and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Even if this one is a relatively short conflict, he said, it will have a long economic tail, and Australia will not escape its impact despite its distance from the action.

“This is why we have been working to build our fuel security over the last four years, and why we are taking new action now,” he said.

“Empowering the ACCC to protect motorists from unfair price rises; boosting fuel supply by releasing 20 per cent of the baseline Minimum Stockholding Obligation for petrol and diesel; getting more fuels made in Australia, into the Australian market, by temporarily amending the fuel standards; and working closely with industry and states and territories to ensure fuel gets where it is needed most, particularly regional communities.”

The PM will meet with all premiers and chief ministers tomorrow to discuss ensuring that coordination across the country maximises benefits for “business, for farmers, for our communities, in our cities, and in particular, in our regions”.

Transport Minister Catherine King is holding a fuel security roundtable with key transport industry stakeholders today.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins has planned a meeting with the National Food Council next Monday to discuss fuel supply concerns.

“I have asked it to focus its agenda for this meeting squarely on the current situation in the Middle East — receiving briefings from the public service and industry,” Ms Collins said.

“I look forward to meeting with the council to hear their insights and discuss how we can continue to support farmers and producers through the immediate situation.”

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has repeated his call for Australians not to panic buy or stockpile fuel, saying there remains plenty in the supply chain.

All expected fuel deliveries are arriving as planned, and fuel retailers have told the Federal Government that supplies into next month appear fine.

“We have seen some, you know, what I’ve called an un-Australian activity, buying jerry cans, selling them on Facebook marketplace,” Mr Bowen said.

“That’s just, that’s just nuts. It’s really unhelpful. It should stop. But I do think we are seeing … people understand more and more that, you know, our fuel supplies are secure.

“Yes, it can also be the case that we’re facing very real shortages in rural and regional areas because of the big spike in demand, because obviously it’s harder to get fuel to some of these places. The supply chain is a little bit more complicated.”

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said Mr Bowen was failing Australians over the fuel crisis and was not sufficiently across the supply issue.

“He told us last week there was no problem. By the end of the week he admitted there was a national crisis,” Mr Taylor said.

“The answer to this is simple. He has to be across where the fuel is, working with the companies to get it to customers, to get it to farmers, to get it to truckies. He has failed in doing that.

“He allowed one of our two refineries in this country to export their fuel at this time. I mean, they should be selling it to Australians.

“We should have Australian fuel serving Australians, and that has not been the case … It’s not that hard, but at the moment we’ve got a minister who’s checked out.”

https://region.com.au/emergency-national-cabinet-meeting-called-over-fuel-supply/951113/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0_z8qTjV8Q

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‘We don’t need anyone’s help’: Trump lashes out at NATO allies, Australia over Iran war

Michael Koziol - March 18, 2026

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Washington: Donald Trump has reversed course and claimed he never needed or wanted other countries’ help in Iran, while lashing out at US allies – including Australia – after previously demanding their assistance.

He went as far as saying that the US should rethink its involvement in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or NATO, while adding that he had no immediate changes in mind.

The US president’s latest broadside came as his top counter-terrorism official resigned, saying he could no longer “in good conscience” support the ongoing war in Iran, and accusing Israeli officials and lobbyists of sowing pro-war sentiment in the administration.

Asked about the resignation, Trump said that he always thought the man he appointed to run the National Counterterrorism Centre was “very weak on security” and “it’s a good thing that he’s out”.

Trump has been asking US allies – primarily Gulf partners and NATO members – to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help unblock the crucial shipping passage, with oil tanker traffic grinding to a halt amid the ongoing US and Israeli campaign against Iran.

But most NATO allies had informed him they would not take part, he said on Tuesday (US time), adding that it was not surprising, as he had long considered NATO to be a one-way street. “We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need.”

Trump went on to say the US military had decimated Iran’s navy, air forces, defences and the regime’s leadership. “Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need’, or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea,” Trump wrote on social media.

“In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!”

The Australian government has ruled out sending a ship to the Strait, with Transport Minister Catherine King saying no such request had been made of Canberra.

Trump had not mentioned Australia during his previous public requests for help. Rather, he had referred to China, Japan and South Korea as countries that were dependent on oil from the Strait and should help.

The White House was contacted for clarification on whether Trump had ever explicitly sought Australia’s participation.

Later, in a bilateral meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the White House, the US president continued to savage the “foolish mistake” NATO was making.

“This was a great test. We don’t need them, but they should have been there,” he said. “We as the United States have to remember that - because we think it’s pretty shocking.”

Asked by a reporter whether he was rethinking the US’ relationship with NATO, or considering withdrawing from the 77-year-old alliance, Trump said: “When they don’t help us, it’s certainly something we should think about … I have nothing currently in mind, but I will say that I’m not exactly thrilled.”

After Trump again expressed his disappointment with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not assisting at the outset of the war, Martin defended the British PM, calling him an earnest and sound person with whom Trump could repair his relationship.

The Irish leader also defended allied military support for Ukraine after Trump complained that the US helped NATO with Ukraine, but NATO was not helping him with Iran.

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Trump’s remarks came as French President Emmanuel Macron ruled out sending ships to the Strait, after Trump implied the previous day that France was likely to assist.

“We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context,” Macron said at the start of a cabinet meeting to discuss the situation.

The war, which is now in its third week, has inflicted overwhelming damage to Iran’s missile stocks, weapons industry, navy and air force – and regime leaders.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said overnight that Israeli air strikes had killed two more Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

But the campaign has detractors within Trump’s so-called America First movement. On Tuesday, the director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, Trump appointee Joe Kent, resigned saying he could not “in good conscience” support the war.

“Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” he said.

In his resignation letter, Kent accused “high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media” of waging what he called a “misinformation campaign” to sow pro-war sentiment and undermine the America First movement.

Trump nominated Kent to head the National Counterterrorism Centre in February 2025. Asked about his resignation on Tuesday, Trump rubbished his assessment that Iran did not pose a threat to the US.

“I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security – very weak on security,” Trump said of his appointee. “I didn’t know him well … It’s a good thing that he’s out.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Kent made many false claims in his letter, including the “absurd allegation” that foreign countries might have motivated the president’s decision-making.

In a lengthy statement, she said Trump had strong and compelling evidence – “compiled from many sources and factors” – that Iran was going to attack the US first.

“President Trump would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum,” Leavitt said.

https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/we-don-t-need-anyone-s-help-trump-lashes-out-at-nato-allies-australia-over-iran-war-20260318-p5okge.html

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116245182325726375

https://x.com/clashreport/status/2033935984979481002

https://x.com/joekent16jan19/status/2033897242986209689

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Andrew Hastie hits back at Trump broadside on Western allies over Strait of Hormuz

THOMAS HENRY - 18 March 2026

Senior Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has criticised Donald Trump’s “petulant” attack on Australia and like-minded allies over their reluctance to become involved in US-led operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

After the US President declared America “no longer” needed the help of its allies in unclogging the critical waterway – name-checking Australia, Japan, South Korea and NATO – the opposition industry spokesman said Mr Trump’s comments showed a lack of respect.

“I thought it was a petulant post from a president under immense pressure yesterday. He said from the Oval Office, I think it was, that he didn’t expect the Strait of Hormuz to be closed for this long. Well, as I like to quote Mike Tyson, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face, and the enemy always has a vote,” Mr Hastie told Radio National.

“You don’t treat allies like that. Relationships that are longstanding, you show respect, and I don’t think it was a respectful post at all.”

Mr Hastie said Australia would remain close to the US, but the former special forces soldier called for Australia to be self-sufficient in energy and defence, claiming that the global rules-based order was “dead”.

“This is a president who is very unique in American history, in global history, and he’s coming up to two years this November in the role. It’s his second and final term, and I’m sure the relationship will continue regardless of who sits in the Oval Office,” he said.

“This is a new stage of history. This is a new way of doing business. I think the global rules-based order that we’ve relied upon for the last 85 years for our security is now dead. And I think it’s a wake-up call for Australia that we must take care of things that only we can take care of.

“We can’t outsource our energy security. We can’t outsource our defence force to other countries. We’ve got to be able to stand on our own two feet.”

It is not the first time Mr Hastie has hit out at the US President. Earlier this year he criticised Mr Trump’s claims that allied forces in Afghanistan hadn’t fought on the front lines.

“This is a massive slur, not just against allied troops, but against our Aussie Diggers who fought, bled and died alongside Americans,” he said at the time.

“One of the most important things in building coalitions and alliances is mutual respect. And a really important virtue in a leader is restraint. And President Trump, by dumping on allied troops, has shown neither.”

During US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last year, Mr Hastie called for caution as a “veteran of the forever wars”, describing Mr Trump as “opportunistic and transactional”.

“You never know really what he’s going to do next. And I think his social media account, it’s an instrument of statecraft for him,” he said.

On the current US campaign in Iran, Mr Hastie took a more positive view of the President’s foreign policy stance, describing him as an “apex opportunist” looking to re-establish US military dominance.

“He hit Nigeria. He’s hit Venezuela. They’ve gone into Iran, or at least they’ve struck Iran. I think part of the plan here is also to re-establish deterrence. And the US military is the apex military,” he said.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/andrew-hastie-hits-back-at-trump-broadside-on-western-allies-over-strait-of-hormuz/news-story/5aeb4f91ddbe737f3daa81bb66c16455

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‘Everyone’s issue’: Fetterman calls out Australia on antisemitism, Strait of Hormuz

JOE KELLY - 18 March 2026

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Democratic senator John Fetterman has declared Australia has a responsibility to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Donald Trump’s rebuke of Australia for failing to back his mission to get oil flowing in the Middle East split the conservative side of politics.

Senior Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie lashed the US President’s “petulant” post on Truth Social, in which he hit out at NATO “allies” who didn’t want to get involved in America’s war against Iran, but One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce warned the swipe raised “a lot to be concerned about”.

Mr Trump wrote: “Because of the fact that we have had such military success, we no longer ‘need’, or desire, the NATO countries’ assistance – We never did! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea.

“In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the most powerful country anywhere in the world, we do not need the help of anyone!”

Senator Fetterman said he had been alarmed by “huge” anti-­Israel demonstrations in Australia that “effectively help Hamas”, and he questioned why Australians wouldn’t stand alongside Israel and the US.

“That’s strange why you wouldn’t want to help your key ally, America, that has broken and effectively destroyed the ­Iranian regime,” he said.

“The antisemitism (in Australia) is a real issue for me. So that gives me an opportunity to speak to the Australians.

“I don’t know why our allies wouldn’t want to just assist in reopening the strait.”

Senator Fetterman is the only Democrat in the US congress to openly and strongly support the American operation in the Middle East, arguing the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was “everyone’s issue”.

Opposition industry spokesman Mr Hastie, a former SAS soldier who has criticised Mr Trump in the past, said the comments showed a lack of respect.

“I thought it was a petulant post from a president under immense pressure yesterday,” Mr Hastie told ABC radio.

“He said from the Oval Office, I think it was, that he didn’t expect the Strait of Hormuz to be closed for this long. Well, as I like to quote Mike Tyson, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face, and the enemy always has a vote.

“You don’t treat allies like that. Relationships that are longstanding. You show respect, and I don’t think it was a respectful post at all.”

Anthony Albanese dismissed Mr Hastie’s remarks while emphasising his own diplomacy in dealing with the mercurial president.

“Andrew Hastie can speak for himself. What I do is engage diplomatically with leaders right across the world, including President Trump. And I had a very constructive discussion with him just last week,” the Prime Minister said.

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While acknowledging Mr Trump could be “unpredictable”, Mr Joyce said Australia could have shown good faith to its ally by reassuring the US administration a ship would be sent if necessary to support war efforts in the Strait of Hormuz.

“(Mr Trump) didn’t mention New Zealand or Fiji or Argentina (in his Truth Social criticism). He mentioned Australia, which means he has knowledge of something that’s made him annoyed about Australia,” Mr Joyce said.

“I’d suggest that annoyance comes with legacy. Quite obviously if the president of the United States has singled out Australia, Japan and NATO, that means there have been discussions in the background with those countries. They’ve antagonised the president so much he’s basically yelled at us – and he doesn’t drink - stone cold sober on social media.

“The biggest concern is not that we don’t want to (send a ship); it’s that we’re not capable of it.”

Parliamentary Friends of AUKUS co-chair, Liberal MP Aaron Violi said of Australia, NATO and others being singled out by Mr Trump: “Given the importance of the alliance historically and moving forward and the strength of AUKUS, you’d prefer not to be included into that group.”

Opposition defence spokesman James Paterson said any further deployment beyond an E-7A Wedgetail to the United Arab Emirates was a sovereign choice for Australia that must be informed by our national interest and the availability and capacity of warships.

“If we are unable to deploy naval assets because of their limited availability or ability to operate in contested maritime environments like the Strait of Hormuz, that is yet more evidence Australia must urgently increase defence spending to ensure we are able to meet the current strategic circumstances,” Senator Paterson said.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King this week said Australia wouldn’t be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz.

“It’s something we’re not contributing to. I’m not aware of whether there’s an ask,” she told ABC radio.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/everyones-issue-fetterman-calls-out-australia-on-antisemitism-strait-of-hormuz/news-story/89a814be61b27a2aceda56aa7fc71196