Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie has taken a firm stance against Australia participating in any further US military actions in the Middle East. Her comments come in response to Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s statement endorsing the US government’s recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which President Donald Trump announced involved attacks on three key Iranian sites, including the vital Fordow complex. This move has prompted strong reactions from Iranian leaders, who have vowed to retaliate.
Lambie emphasised that the airstrikes, coming shortly after Trump’s assertion of taking time to consider intervention in Iran, have severely damaged trust between the US and Iran. She expressed concern that this marks a troubling re-entry into a Middle Eastern conflict, which contradicts Trump’s previous anti-war rhetoric. “You just put your toes in the water, and you’re back in that war,” she remarked, highlighting the irony in the US’s recent military involvement.
In a clear message, Lambie asserted that Australia is not obligated to support such actions, stating, “We certainly can’t back you up this time, and we don’t owe you anything.” She further critiqued the readiness of Australia’s military, claiming it is “not fit for purpose” for warfare and predicting it would take a decade before Australian troops could be adequately prepared for deployment.
Lambie’s sentiments reflected a broader concern regarding the uncertainty of the geopolitical landscape, compounded by the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. She noted that there are significant unknowns about the potential consequences of the US’s aggressive stance against Iran.
In response to the escalating tension, the Australian federal government urged for de-escalation after the strikes. Wong underscored the government’s support for action aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, affirming that this was the rationale behind the US’s military operations. However, she echoed Lambie’s call for a return to diplomatic efforts, acknowledging that no one desires an extensive war in the region.
The contrasting views between Lambie and the government highlight the complexities of Australia’s foreign policy in relation to the US and its military actions, particularly in volatile regions of the world.