Australia finally takes a stance on Iran attack

Penny Wong has finally confirmed Australia’s position on the bombing of Iran but a big question about our involvement remains.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has finally confirmed Australia supports the bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities but has refused to say whether Australia’s Pine Gap military base was used in the US attack.

Nearly 24 hours after the US President said he had “totally obliterated” three sites and the Coalition called for “clarity”, the Albanese Government has been forced to clarify whether Australia supported the decision.

Speaking on Sunrise, Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek was the first to speak out after the Albanese Government did not conduct any television interviews on Sunday about the bombings.

“Well, yes, we do support the strikes, and I know the foreign minister is going to be in your program later. We certainly don’t want to see full scale war in the Middle East,’’ Ms Plibersek said.

On Sunday, the Albanese Government released a statement but did not do any on camera interviews after the attacks.

“We have been clear that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security,’’ the statement said.

“We note the US President’s statement that now is the time for peace.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s first television interview was on the Today show on Monday morning where she was immediately asked to clarify that statement.

Senator Penny Wong, Minister for foreign affairs addresses the media. Picture: 9News

“Why did it take so long for you to publicly state your position?” Today show host Karl Stefanovic asked.

“I don’t accept that characterisation, Karl. I’m here talking to you now,’’ Senator Wong replied.

“That’s 24 hours after the world reacted,’’ Stefanovic countered.

“Well, I think you saw a statement from the government. Yesterday. The Deputy Prime Minister was obviously up in the morning.

“We support action to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. And that is what this is. So we support action to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.”

Questions over Pine Gap

But questions remain over whether or not the US used the Pine Gap facility in the attacks.

“Was the US military base in Pine Gap used in this operation?” host Stefanovic asked. But Senator Wong dodged the question.

“You wouldn’t expect me to comment on intelligence matters,’’ she said.

“But what I would say is the US has made it clear this was a unilateral strike.”

In other words, she declined to answer the question on Pine Gap but stressed the US acted alone in bombing Iran.

“So you don’t know if US, Australian and satellite communications and signals intelligence?’’ Stefanovic asked.

“That’s the same question, and I’ve answered it,’’ Senator Wong said.

What is Pine Gap?

Pine Gap is a joint US-Australian intelligence facility located near Alice Springs, Australia that is primarily used for signals intelligence collection, including telemetry from weapons systems, signals from antimissile and anti-aircraft radars, communications satellite transmissions, and microwave emissions.

It also monitors military developments, and supports US military operations, including drone strikes.

Pine Gap is a joint Australian-United States satellite communications and signals intelligence surveillance base and Australian Earth station. Picture: Google

Senator Wong was asked the same question on ABC TV and again declined to answer.

“We don’t comment on intelligence matters. We certainly don’t comment on the matters you are asking me about,’’ she said.

“The US made clear publicly these were unilateral.

“I think it is important to remember that the facilities that were struck only existed for the purpose of Iran’s nuclear program. That’s what we are talking about.

“The world has long agreed Iran is not in compliance with its international obligations when it comes to nuclear material, and the world long agreed it’s not in the interests of collective peace and security for Iran to gain access to a nuclear weapon.”

Defence Minister blindsided

Defence Minister Richard Marles appeared blindsided by the attacks on Sunday morning, telling Sky News shortly before the US dropped the bombs that he wasn’t going to speculate on whether Iran was close to building a nuclear bomb and urging de-escalation and diplomacy.

“Do you believe the US would be justified in using a bunker bomb on the Fordow underground site?’’ Sky News host Andrew Clennell asked.

“Well, look, I’m not about to speculate on what the United States does,’’ he replied.

“I mean, the position that we have articulated in relation to this conflict has been consistent from the outset, and that is that we are worried about the prospect for escalation here, and we’ve been urging de-escalation, we’ve been urging dialogue and diplomacy.”

As he spoke, the US bombs were about to be dropped in Iran.

Asked if he believed Iran was close to having a nuclear weapon, Mr Marles refused to say.

“Again, I’m not about to speculate on that, other than to say what I already have, and that is that the Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile program is most definitely a threat to the peace and stability of not only the Middle East, but the world,’’ he said.

Call for ‘clarity’

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison has backed President Trump’s decision to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities as “a last resort”, urging Australia to now speak with clarity about why the US had to act.

Describing the bombing as “a necessary event”, Mr Morrison stressed that the United States has launched a targeted mission that reflected the fact that it was the only ally of Israel with the military hardware to penetrate Iran’s underground bunkers.

A B-2 bomber arrives at Whiteman air force Base. Picture: AP Photo/David Smith

“There were no other options available to the President,’’ Mr Morrison said.

“I think President Trump has been very clear about seeking to get an agreement with Iran. This was completely rejected, and made it very clear that there was no negotiation now there was the opportunity for complete capitulation and that was not offered, and they are the only military in the world that is capable of doing what it has just done, and that is what has happened.”

Mr Morrison offered a barbed observation on the conduct of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

“I think there’s been far too much ambiguity about this from Australia, far too much ambiguity,” he said.

“It’s time for clarity. And the clarity is we were dealing with a theocratic authoritarian state that sponsored an attack on a 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. It’s not a friend of Australia’s interests. This is a conflict not with the people of Iran who are wonderful people, creative.”

Originally published as Australia finally takes a stance on Iran attack