Ursula Heger, Host: Foreign Minister Penny Wong joins us now from Singapore. Thank you for your time tonight. Taking you straight to Donald Trump's remarkable swipe at Australia, has the US administration ever asked for help with the Strait of Hormuz?
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: We've not received a request for assistance in relation to the Strait. We have received requests, including from regional countries, for the defence of the countries of the region. And you might recall we did deploy a Wedgetail aircraft in response to that request, which is helping to defend the countries of the region.
Heger: This is obviously a slightly difficult issue for the Foreign Minister. Have you now reached out to the US administration to correct the record regarding that?
Minister Wong: We continue to engage with the United States. I had a call with Secretary Rubio earlier on in this conflict. We've engaged through our Washington Embassy and we'll continue to engage going forward, to ensure that people are very clear about what we have been asked to do and what we are doing.
Heger: Looking more broadly here at Australia's relationship with the United States. In your opinion, can Australia still depend on the United States as we once did?
Minister Wong: There is much that brings Australia and the United States together, which is why the US is our most important strategic partner. And we work very closely together in many parts of the world and in many areas. There are obviously times where we will disagree and we've been up front about that. And I think it's very important that we recognise that our national interests are served by working with the United States, and also by working with the countries of our region, and other countries beyond our region in support of Australia's national interests. And that's what we are doing here. That's why the Prime Minister has been in the region. It's why I'm in Singapore. It's about working to make sure we keep getting fuel, in circumstances where we know we have a global energy crisis.
Heger: The UK's Parliamentary Committee on National Security Strategy is urging its government to move away from the bilateral relationship with the US as it currently stands. Does Australia need to review our strategic relationship with the US going forward?
Minister Wong: The US remains our most important alliance, but we are also working in our region and in the context of other relationships. So you've seen us in Southeast Asia, deepening our relationships in Southeast Asia. You've seen us in the Pacific working, including an alliance partnership with Papua New Guinea. And you've seen not only the Free Trade Agreement, but the Security agreement with the European Union. All of these relationships are about us working in many areas to ensure we keep Australia safe and secure in times which are turbulent.
Heger: We have a ceasefire, as tentative as it is. Does this put us into a bit of a difficult position here, where we're essentially hoping that the fighting will stop?
Minister Wong: Well, I think the whole world is hoping and calling for the ceasefire to hold and for negotiations to be successful. That's what Australia wants. That's what the countries of our region want. And I think that's what countries all around the world want. We all know that every country, every citizen, is potentially affected by what is happening in global energy markets. And we know particularly that the region we live in is even more affected because most of the oil that comes through the Strait comes to our region. So that's why we've got to work together, both on how we manage the impact on fuel, but also in diplomatic pressure and support for a ceasefire and a resolution.
Heger: We've seen a ceasefire today between Israel and Lebanon. But can a ceasefire ever really exist without Hizballah at the table?
Minister Wong: We want all parties to observe the ceasefire. And as Australia has consistently made clear, we want a ceasefire in Lebanon, not only because of the humanitarian crisis we see there, but because fighting in Lebanon risks the ceasefire across the region.
Heger: Minister Penny Wong, thank you for your time today.
Minister Wong: Thanks, Ursula. Good to be with you.