Emma Rebellato, Host: The Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, joins us now. Minister, thanks for joining us this morning.
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Good to speak with you.
Rebellato: I want to get your reaction to the latest because we know missile strikes have continued. The rhetoric on all sides is increasing. Donald Trump, when asked about whether the US would get involved, he said, 'I may do it, I may not do it.' Surely this isn't helping when you're asking for this to be de-escalated?
Foreign Minister: The world certainly faces a dangerous moment, a risky moment. I think we all know that, looking at what is being reported and the images that we're seeing. What I would say is, it is beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program. It is in the interests of the Iranian people, and the interests of the people of the region, for Iran to work to return to dialogue and diplomacy.
Rebellato: Well, on that issue, Iran's Ambassador to Australia was on 7:30 last night. He wants the Albanese Government and other nations to publicly condemn Israel before it comes back to the negotiating table. How do you react to that?
Foreign Minister: I think we all understand the risk that Iran poses to the people, to the stability of the region. We all have seen how Iran has operated. But more relevantly here, we all know the world has been grappling for many years with the risk of Tehran's nuclear program. If he looks at the situation in the Middle East, surely they can see that it is in the interests of the Iranian people for the regime to return to dialogue and to discontinue any nuclear program.
Rebellato: You must be worried about Australians there. How many have asked for help and how will you get them out of Iran and Israel?
Foreign Minister: Look, it's a very, very difficult situation on the ground at the moment. It's a very complicated situation, and as you know the airspace has been closed in both Israel and Iran since this conflict began. We have about 1,500 Australians in Iran who have registered with us for assistance, about 1,200 in Israel. Obviously, there are more opportunities in relation to Israel. We took the opportunity to get a small group out by land crossing yesterday and we'll seek to continue that. Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid. Iran is a very complicated situation, a very risky situation, I think we all know that. Our travel advice remains the same and it is that if you are able to leave safely you should do so, if not shelter in place.
Rebellato: What about Iranians who are here in Australia? Whether they're visiting, whether they're studying here, working, their bank accounts back home are frozen. Is there any help that you are looking at delivering to them?
Foreign Minister: Our focus at the moment is obviously the consular crisis in the Middle East. That's what we're focused on. I absolutely understand that this is very difficult, not only for Iranians who are here, but the Iranian diaspora - people who have family, friends in Iran, and who are so deeply worried about what is occurring. But my focus now has to be on what we can do to support Australians or to get Australians out of Israel and Iran.
Rebellato: I'd like to ask you about another story involving Australians and that is in Bali. We have some Aussies arrested over there in relation to the shooting of two other Australians. One died. Prosecutors are looking to charge these men with murder which could face the death penalty. Are you approaching the Indonesian Government about this?
Foreign Minister: We are seeking a briefing from the Indonesian authorities about this. We also are providing some consular assistance. For privacy reasons, I'm not in a position to disclose that. But, you would know Australia's long-standing position on any death penalty cases.
Rebellato: Also, we know that Anthony Albanese was unable to have his face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump. There are now works behind the scenes to get a new date. Do you know if a new date has been secured or if Anthony Albanese will travel to the NATO Summit?
Foreign Minister: A couple of points here. First, in relation to NATO, the Prime Minister has said he's considering whether to go to NATO or not. And I just want to emphasise, we have a very challenging situation globally at the moment, we have a war in Europe and a war in the Middle East. Obviously, this is absolutely a time countries of the world should be working together to consider how we best protect peace, preserve security and preserve prosperity. That's what we want to do. So, obviously the Prime Minister is considering the NATO Summit in the context of all that is occurring in the world. In relation to President Trump, obviously the President was unable to stay for the second day of the G7, which meant not only Australia's meeting was not able to proceed, but also meetings with Prime Minister Modi and the President of South Korea. We understand that and we look forward to a further meeting being scheduled.
Rebellato: Foreign Minister Penny Wong, thanks for joining us on News Breakfast this morning.
Foreign Minister: Good to be with you, thank you.