PM condemns Iran but not enough for Coalition

Anthony Albanese has condemned Iran’s air attacks on Israel at the weekend as a ‘grave threat’ to regional security but the Coalition wants more done.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday. He vowed on Sunday to work with the international community to increase pressure on Tehran and prevent the latest conflict from spreading. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Anthony Albanese has condemned Iran’s air attacks on ­Israel as a “grave threat to the security of Israel and the entire region”, but the Coalition has accused the Prime Minister of failing to provide a strong enough statement in support of the Jewish state.

Mr Albanese said Iran ignored the calls of Australia and other ­nations to not proceed with the “reckless attacks”, vowing to work with the international community to increase pressure on Tehran and prevent the conflict from spreading.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp said it launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel on Saturday as “punishment” for the Jewish state’s attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria.

“Anyone who cares for the protection of innocent life must stand against these attacks,” Mr Albanese said in a joint statement with Acting Foreign Minister Katy ­Gallagher.

“This escalation is a grave threat to the security of Israel and the entire region. It risks greater instability and devastation across the Middle East.

“Australia continues to support regional security, including that of Israel.”

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said Mr Albanese’s statement compared unfavourably with that given by US President Joe Biden.

“There is no room for ambiguity in Australia’s response. We should stand with Israel and against Iran, who attack Israel, sponsor terrorism, help Russia against Ukraine and oppress their own people,” Senator Birmingham said.

“The responses of President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese were a study in contrasts. While the US pledged its ‘iron-clad commitment’ to Israel, the Albanese government could only muster support for ‘regional security, including that of Israel’.”

Senator Birmingham said the Albanese government should support “strong action against Iran”, and make that clear with the US, Israel and G7 leaders.

“It is beyond time for the Albanese government to act on our call for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp to be listed by Australia as a terrorist organisation,” Senator Birmingham said.

“The IRGC speak like terrorists, collaborate with terrorists and act like terrorists. If our laws need changing to undertake such listing then they should be changed asap.”

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the Iranian attack represented a level of regional escalation that “the whole world has feared since the beginning of the conflict” last October.

He defended his government’s decision not to provide immediate military assistance to Israel, after Britain and US sent fighter jets to shoot down the drones.

“We’ve been focused on supporting the efforts of allies and like-minded partners to prevent escalation of the conflict,” Mr Conroy told Sky News.

“That’s why we’ve supported personnel and resources into the maritime headquarters, as well as US efforts to counter the attacks by Houthi rebels out of Yemen into the Red Sea.

“That’s our level of involvement at the moment.”

Jewish groups urged Labor to take firmer diplomatic steps against Iran.

In a thinly veiled criticism of the Albanese government’s hardening stance on Israel, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said “this attack was made possible by the weakening of international support for Israel in recent weeks”.

“Evil regimes detect weakness and exploit it,” Mr Ryvchin said.

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said “Iran is intent on destabilising the entire region, and this requires a regional and international ­response”.

“We welcome the US and UK air forces helping Israel to shoot down the drones,” Mr Leibler said.

Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein welcomed Mr Albanese’s condemnation of Iran but he joined the Coalition in urging the government to list Iran’s IRGC as a terror organisation.

“As well, this current attack warrants our government announcing its intention to call in the Iranian ambassador to issue him with a démarche,” Dr Rubenstein said.