Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Good morning, everyone. Obviously, the situation in the Middle East is increasingly risky, increasingly dangerous, and I again reiterate Australia's call on Iran, you have to discontinue any nuclear weapons program. You have to discontinue any nuclear program. That is the call of the world. We urge Iran to come to the table and to do what the world is seeking, what the United States and others are making very clear, which is to discontinue any nuclear program and to return to diplomacy and dialogue.
In relation to Australians in the region and what I would say is this is a very stressful and risky situation, and we are very focused on doing whatever we can to assist you. Obviously, there are real limits, hard limits, on what the government can do. The airspace remains closed. In relation to Australians in Iran, our travel advice remains the same. Leave if it is safe to do so, if not, shelter in place. In relation to Israel, again, we are seeking to assist Australians where we can. We took the opportunity yesterday to move a small group across a land border. If we have that opportunity, we will continue to do that. But please again, listen to the travel advice, and if you need assistance to leave, please register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Emergency consular assistance is available to Australians. The Crisis Centre has been stood up for some days. That operates 24 hours. Happy to take questions.
Journalist: What are the numbers on the amount of Australians seeking assistance in Iran and Israel?
Foreign Minister: We have 1500 Australians, to date, in Iran who have registered for assistance and 1200 in Israel, but I anticipate that number has probably climbed since I was briefed and on the way up here.
Journalist: Is there any more information on that operation to move citizens via land, that you mentioned?
Foreign Minister: Not at this stage. We will provide information to people in Israel when we have the opportunity. Obviously, it's a very fluid situation. We had a small window yesterday, so we took that opportunity to move a small group. The Department is working on trying to assist more people over the next 24 hours.
Journalist: In terms of Iran, is there any way that land evacuations could happen organised by the Australian Government, or is it just not possible?
Foreign Minister: Our Government, like other like mindeds, are very constrained in what we can do, in country, in Iran. That is a matter of the security situation, obviously, and also the geography. We know that is a very difficult situation for people in Iran. And again, I say, if we are able to, we will assist. But at this stage, there are very hard limits on what the government can do. Our advice remains, leave if it is safe to do so or shelter, if not, shelter in place.
Journalist: There's a significant amount of uncertainty, obviously, over what happens next. When we've got a US President saying comments like, 'nobody knows what I will do next,' is that unhelpful in de-escalating a conflict like this?
Foreign Minister: What is unhelpful is Iran's refusal to commit to discontinuing any nuclear program. So Iran has a choice here, and it should make the choice to discontinue its program, any program, and to return to talks. As President Trump also said, it's never too late.
Journalist: Just on another topic, Paul Keating is accusing Richard Marles of careless betrayal over a potential war between China and the US. It's not the first time the former Prime Minister has criticised the Government and its members. What do you make of his latest comments?
Foreign Minister: Mr Keating's view on that are a matter for him.
Journalist: When are we likely to know if the Prime Minister will attend NATO? Obviously, there's talk of a Trump meeting there. What are the other benefits for us, for the Prime Minister to attend?
Foreign Minister: The Prime Minister said he was considering that, and obviously that's a matter for him. What I would say is, this is a very unstable time in the world, and making sure we're doing what we can to work with other countries to preserve peace and security for all our peoples matters. And obviously meetings like being invited to the G7 and NATO matters. So Australia will be represented, and the Prime Minister is considering whether or not that will be him or another Minister.
Journalist: Do you agree with Richard Marles over his comments about the role that Australia could play in a potential war with the US and China?
Foreign Minister: You've heard me many times say the focus of everything we do is to prevent conflict. The focus of everything that we do, both in hard deterrence, also in reassurance, and the work we do, and I lead in the region, is to prevent conflict and to preserve peace.
Journalist: Would Australia have any involvement if the US were to get involved with this conflict?
Foreign Minister: We are not a central player in the Middle East.
Journalist: Are we moving any defence assets to the Middle East as the US has done?
Foreign Minister: We're not a central player in the Middle East.
Journalist: Quickly on tax reform, I know you wouldn't have had time to watch your colleague at the Press Club. But you know, he outlined, I guess, a plan for some bolder tax reform of some sort. Do you agree, as a senior member of the Government, that the size of your victory gives you some scope to do some things that weren't in your platform?
Foreign Minister: I think the Prime Minister - you're right, I did not have the opportunity to watch what I believe, no doubt, was a very, very good speech by the Treasurer and a process for consideration of how we become an economy that is fit for purpose, for the future. That is what he was focused on. I think the Prime Minister outlined at his National Press Club speech the week earlier, the parameters for the way in which we'll approach this. Thanks very much.