Australia did not know about strikes in advance: Wong
Tom McIlroy
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, says Australia was not told in advance about the bombing of Iran but won’t say whether intelligence facilities here were used.
“We weren’t told advance. You wouldn’t expect us to be but you would see there’s obviously been a lot of discussion,” she siad.
“We are not at the centre of the issues in the Middle East but we obviously play a role international community.”
Wong says Australia stands with the people of Iran in opposing an oppressive regime.
“Ultimately Iran’s future must be determined by the people of Iran.
“Australian involvement, obviously, we did not participate in the strikes and you would not expect us to participate.”
She says Australians in the region should follow travel advice and seek safety.
A damaged car remains on the ground in the aftermath of an Israeli-US strike in Tehran. Photograph: Amir Kholousi/APShare
Updated at 18.54 EST
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International flights between Australia and major hubs in the Middle East have been cancelled, leaving travellers in limbo.
Virgin Australia says four Qatar Airways flights headed from Australia to Doha have been turned around.
Emirates and Etihad flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Dubai and Abu Dhabi – common stops on long-haul flights to Europe via Gulf carriers – were cancelled on Sunday morning.
Emirates says it has “temporarily suspended” all flights in and out of Dubai, until at least 10pm AEDT on Sunday.
“We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements,” the airline said in a message to passengers.
“The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”
Etihad has issued an update to passengers saying it had suspended arrivals and departures until 9pm AEDT. Any flight scheduled to arrive beforehand has been cancelled, but that services due to arrive after were still “expected to operate, subject to operational conditions”.
The airline says it is dealing with a high volume of calls.
”Affected guests are being contacted directly and are being supported with rebooking options and hotel accommodation where necessary.
“Situation remains fluid and further adjustments may be required.”
Activists say trans woman with Palestinian flag was ‘violently restrained’ by police at Mardi Gras
The activist group Pride in Protest says a trans woman holding a Palestinian flag was “violently restrained” by police at the Sydney Mardi Gras on Saturday night.
The NSW police released a statement on Sunday commending the crowd for its behaviour. It said there were no charges laid but that four people – who were part of a group that had been prevented from marching – were arrested for a breach of the peace.
Pride in Protest had been blocked from participating in the parade due to social media posts criticising Jewish group Dayenu.
“[The people who were arrested] were removed from the parade ground and were issued with move on directions, which they complied with. No charges were laid as a result of the incident,” a police statement said.
Pride in Protest said police were seen “assaulting a trans woman attendee of the parade, yanking a Palestinian flag out of her hand”.
“As [a] float entered the road to prepare to march, NSW police officers with the riot squad grabbed a Palestine flag away from a trans woman participant and violently restrained her, with four officers grabbing her,” a statement issued by the group said.
”The woman was heard crying out ‘help me’ and other participants called for the police to let her go.”
Updated at 18.49 EST
Travel advice updated for Middle Eastern countries: Wong
Penny Wong has confirmed travel advice has been updated for Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
She says Australia is engaged with international partners and consular staff around the world.
“We have activated our crisis centre to provide consular support to Australians in the region and this morning we are opening our registration portal in Iran and Israel.”
Updated at 18.30 EST
Wong dodges question on legal basis for US-Israel attacks on Iran
Penny Wong has been asked about the legal basis for the bombings under international law.
“I will leave it for the United States and Israel to speak of the legal basis for the attacks.
“What I would say to Australians is that Iran has been a destabilising force in the region for decades. It has orchestrated attacks on Australia and I think we all understand this issue did not start yesterday.”
Asked about assistance for Australians seeking to come home, Wong says the government does anticipate a difficult period ahead but won’t be drawn on repatriation flights.
“In this situation, the airspace is closed.”
Updated at 18.29 EST
Australia did not know about strikes in advance: WongTom McIlroy
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, says Australia was not told in advance about the bombing of Iran but won’t say whether intelligence facilities here were used.
“We weren’t told advance. You wouldn’t expect us to be but you would see there’s obviously been a lot of discussion,” she siad.
“We are not at the centre of the issues in the Middle East but we obviously play a role international community.”
Wong says Australia stands with the people of Iran in opposing an oppressive regime.
“Ultimately Iran’s future must be determined by the people of Iran.
“Australian involvement, obviously, we did not participate in the strikes and you would not expect us to participate.”
She says Australians in the region should follow travel advice and seek safety.
A damaged car remains on the ground in the aftermath of an Israeli-US strike in Tehran. Photograph: Amir Kholousi/APShare
Updated at 18.54 EST
Shadow treasurer says ‘aim should be that Iranian people take control of their destiny’
Tim Wilson told ABC TV the international rules based order still matters, despite the bombing of Iran.
“The aim should be that the Iranian people take control of their destiny, they decide their future and that is not with mullahs in charge, as far as I’m concerned, and clearly not as far as the Iranian people are concerned.
“But it’s their decision about how want to run their lives, and their country, rather than having something imposed on them by the Islamic regime that has caused terror, led to the punishment and subjugation of women, homosexuals and exported terrorism world.”
Wilson said he expects the US to continue to be a critical leader in the world.
Updated at 18.26 EST
Opposition supports Iran bombingTom McIlroy
The shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, says the Coalition supports the US and Israeli-led bombing of Iran.
He told ABC TV the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei means “the world is now a safer place.”
“The reality is this situation’s been building for some time. Iran has exported terrorism around the world, including into Australia,” he said.
“A co-ordinated attack to address what has clearly been an ongoing build up of their nuclear program is something that is very good for international peace and security.
“Of course we hope the situation is contained and we watch it closely.”
ShareBurke coy on US notice of Iran bombingTom McIlroy
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, won’t say if Australia was told about the US and Israel-led bombing of Iran overnight.
The Albanese government has offered support to the US president, Donald Trump, and Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
But Burke won’t say if there was any warning from Australia’s closest ally and defence partner.
“The actions, as stated by the United States and Israel, have been taken by them,” he told Channel 7.
“I won’t go into what conversations happen back and forth. But those two governments are the ones taking the action.”
He said Australia’s role was to look after Australian citizens in the region, including diplomats.
“You’ve got temporary closures of a number of airports at the moment, but we expect that commercial options will still be available, and people should take them.
“Overnight, for Australians who are in Lebanon, in Israel, or in Qatar, we have upgraded our travel advice to do not travel. That means if you are already there, if it is safe to leave, leave.
“Get out. Don’t delay.”
Home affairs minister Tony Burke. Photograph: Dominic Giannini/EPAShare
Updated at 18.34 EST
‘Leadership needed not sycophantic capitulation’: Labor anti-war group voices disappointment in party
ALP members who oppose war are disappointed Australia has offered support to the US and Israeli bombing of Iran overnight.
The patron of Labor Against War group, former senator Doug Cameron, said the government had made the wrong decision in supporting Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Albanese’s backing of Israeli and US attacks on Iran shows that we are completely devoid of acting independently from Trump and Netanyahu,” Cameron said.
“There was a time when Labor pursued peace not war. That time is long gone. Leadership needed not sycophantic capitulation to militarism.”
Updated at 17.30 EST
Australia supports Trump’s bombing: LaborTom McIlroy
Labor frontbencher Andrew Charlton says the Australian government hopes the bombing in Iran achieves peace and stability in the region.
Speaking on Sky, the cabinet secretary said Australia has a very small presence in the region, with officials supporting diplomats and their families to get home safely.
“Australia stands with the people of Iran,” he said.
“They have faced brutal repression and Iran has been a destabilising force in the region and they’ve been pursuing nuclear weapons in contravention of international law.”
Charlton said Australians should pay attention to the Smartraveller website if they are in the region or contemplating travel to risky locations.
Updated at 17.11 EST
Tom McIlroy
‘Iran is an enemy of Australia’: Andrew Hastie
Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie says he supports the bombing in Iran by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking to Sky News, Hastie said:
double quotation markIran is an enemy of Australia. They’ve conducted terrorism on our shores and they’re also a geopolitical bad actor.
They’ve been seeking a nuclear weapon for some time and they’ve just murdered upwards of 25,000 of their own citizens over the last few months.
Hastie, an SAS veteran, says he’s not surprised Trump has taken the opportunity to strike Iran, likening the moves to actions in Venezuala and Nigeria.
Hastie says Trump is “setting the conditions for regime change in Iran”:
double quotation markThere is a lot of risk and as a veteran of the so-called forever wars, I’m very suspicious of regime change by force.
Liberal member for Canning, Andrew Hastie. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 17.06 EST
Tom McIlroy
Greens label US-Israel war on Iran a ‘new illegal bombing campaign’
Greens leader Larissa Waters has warned the Albanese government against supporting the growing war in Iran, calling it “a new illegal bombing campaign” by US president Donald Trump and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu.
Waters said there is a strong likelihood the bombing has direct or indirect assistance from military facilities at Pine Gap and North West Cape:
double quotation markTrump and Netanyahu’s illegal attacks last night have unleashed chaos across the Middle East.
This war will not bring safety to the brave Iranian people who are fighting for liberation from the brutal regime. Innocent people have already been massacred, including at least 60 children in southern Iran killed by US and Israeli strikes on an elementary school last night. Our hearts ache for their families. This war will see homes and cities razed to the ground and countless innocent lives lost.
Greens leader Senator Larissa Waters Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP
Waters said the Greens condemned the “illegal, abhorrent and unilateral attacks”:
double quotation markAustralians do not want to be dragged into another US-Israeli war.
Australia’s support of Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal attack last night was disgraceful.
We cannot bomb our way to peace.”
Updated at 17.07 EST
NSW unveils sweeping foster care reform
The NSW Labor government has announced major changes to the state’s out-of-home-care system.
The Minns government this morning announced it will implement tougher accountability measures for non-government providers in the sector that cares for more than 13,000 vulnerable children.
The government will also spearhead foster care recruitment and reduce the outsourcing of child protection services.
The minister for families and communities, Kate Washington, said:
double quotation markDespite significant and rising taxpayer investment, rates of restoration, guardianship and adoption continue to fall. It’s clear the current program has failed to deliver, that’s why we undertaking significant reform.
Accountability is non-negotiable when it comes to children’s safety and public trust. We are building a new foster care system where kids come first – every child deserves to grow up with love, safety and stability.
Updated at 16.56 EST
Welcome
Good morning. Welcome to our live news blog this Sunday.
The federal government is moving quickly to respond to events in Iran.
Last night, Australia declared its support for US action to stop Tehran obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent threats to international peace and security.
Anthony Albanese said in a statement: “Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression.”
The prime minister said Iran’s ruling regime had been a “destabilising force” for decades through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and “brutal acts of violence and intimidation”.
The national security committee of cabinet is due to meet about 8.30am this morning, and the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will speak from Adelaide about 9.45am.
The government has criticised the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters, which has left thousands of Iranian civilians dead, and highlighted Iranian-led foreign attacks in Australia.
Iran directed at least two attacks on Australian soil in 2024, carried out to target the Jewish community. Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador to Australia last year.