Overview
- Andrew Hastie, speaking on ABC’s Insiders on Sunday, said the U.S.-led war in Iran was a huge miscalculation and complained there was no real consultation with allies.
- He warned U.S. credibility is being damaged and said Australians may be losing faith in the alliance, while stressing he still backs the U.S. and Israel over Iran.
- Hastie forecast the fight over the Strait of Hormuz could drag on until late April and said Australia faces sharper pain because it sits at the end of long fuel supply lines.
- The Albanese government announced on Saturday it would underwrite extra fuel cargoes to ease shortages, with legislation to grant those underwriting powers due to be introduced Monday.
- State leaders are preparing for national cabinet on Monday to coordinate the response, as ministers signal no work-from-home mandate yet and discuss how to manage possible fuel rationing.