Sarah Abo, Host: Well, two more members of Iran's football team are seeking asylum in Australia after refusing to board their plane back home. Foreign Minister Penny Wong joins us now from Canberra to discuss. Senator, good to see you this morning. Thanks for your time. So, we know that a significant covert operation went into these players remaining here from their supporters. It's been going on for days. What more can you tell us about their last minute application for asylum? These last two.
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Sarah, first, good to be with you. Good morning to you and the team and to all the viewers. Look, the lionesses, the Iranian football, women's football team I think has really captured the focus of the nation and people have been very moved by their story and obviously Tony Burke has been working at this personally to ensure that we gave the opportunity to members of the team to have a discussion with an Australian official and the offer was made for them to make a choice to stay. Now obviously, we've announced five have taken that up. I think Tony is doing media later this morning and he will give an update on that. I'll leave that to him. This is, this is a moment as a nation though, we have opened our hearts and at a time where the world is pretty difficult, it's been a lovely thing to see.
Abo: Especially those smiles, they are particularly lovely to see. But the images that we just played then a second ago, which you would have seen last night and the whole nation would have seen of the remaining team members really reluctantly getting back on that team bus to the airport. That one woman in particular who seems as though she's almost being pulled onto the bus, I mean, it's so heartbreaking and I know some of these players have opted not to stay here in Australia, but it's just terrifying, Penny, to think about what they are returning to. You know, the goalkeeper apparently said they've taken all our families hostage. What kind of repercussions are they likely to face in Iran?
Foreign Minister: Sarah, that image was very confronting and you would understand I am reluctant to add to speculation about the response when they get home because obviously we, I'm concerned for their safety. We know this regime has engaged in brutal treatment of women and girls, but of its citizens and we've seen that over years, which is why the government put so much effort into making sure that people did get given the choice and as I said, they were offered an opportunity, and had the opportunity, I should say, to talk to Australian officials alone.
Abo: Yeah, I think we all feel this in the pit of our guts. That's the worst part about this. You know what's to come for Iran. And as you know, obviously, that the war is broadening. You're sending a Wedgetail and 85 Defence personnel to the Middle East. You've been stressing that this is defensive action, but if we're firing missiles and we've got personnel in the region, is it just a matter of time before our role there expands?
Foreign Minister: The missiles that we're sending are to intercept drones that are attacking countries and ballistic missiles.
Abo: Still fighting though.
Foreign Minister: No, but my point is they are a defensive capability and that's been our focus. You know, we received this request from the United Arab Emirates. We went back to the first principles, which I've talked about and the Prime Minister has talked about, which is we want to do our best to keep Australians safe and that includes Australians overseas. And these are countries where we have a lot of Australians sheltering. So, we have a national interest in helping these Gulf countries defend their citizens and also our citizens. And that's what we're doing.
Abo: If it's called upon that they do more, what would our response be?
Foreign Minister: Look, we've made clear from very early on what our posture was in this, in this conflict. And you know, Australian personnel will act in accordance with Australian direction.
Abo: Alright. Donald Trump is trying to downplay all concerns, saying the war will come to an end soon. I mean, it's so unpredictable, what he says, really, on a daily basis. So, that seems unlikely. And with disruption set to continue, how are you going to navigate that? Is this a situation that's worse than the government's painting it?
Foreign Minister: I've been trying to be pretty upfront with Australians about the war escalating, intensifying and widening much more than we anticipated and I think than the world anticipated.
Abo: Some might disagree about the line about fuel, though, from the Government.
Foreign Minister: Shall I go to fuel or shall I go to the conflict first?
Abo: Let's go to fuel.
Foreign Minister: Can I just make the point, well if I make one point, I think in the first 24 to 72 hours we saw Iran attack, I think it was nine or 10 countries in the region. Now that is unprecedented. So, the previous conflicts have been much more contained. They chose to attack countries that had not participated in strikes against them. And so that is why we have seen the conflict widen. In terms of fuel this is, I understand why people are concerned about this. And you know, I've seen the jerry cans come off the shelves at Bunnings, I've seen the lines at petrol stations and the price rises. I would say a few things. The first is to say to the companies, retailers, this is not an excuse to price gouge Australians. The second point I'd make is that we are still seeing as much fuel coming into Australia as before the conflict. What we are seeing however, is very big changes in demand. I was looking at some of the figures and in home state, you know, you've seen in the Adelaide Hills, 200% increase in demand. Now, obviously that is going to mean, this change in demand is going to mean, that we see the disruptions to supply that we have seen. Now, Chris met, Chris Bowen and others met with the truckies. He spoke about it yesterday, the petroleum industry, the National Farmers Federation, and he asked them, 'What is it that you want government to do?' And the answer was to try and, I suppose, calm the farm. Say to people, look, don't engage in panic buying. I understand why that's the response. But that change in demand is going to lead to disruption in supply.
Abo: All right, yeah, it is causing a little bit of chaos around the country, Senator. Thanks so much for joining us this morning.
Foreign Minister: Great to speak with you.