Australian news and politics live: Penny Wong says Australia alarmed by Israel-Iran escalation

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Top three stories

• Israel in pre-emptive strike against Iran (full report)
• Aaron Patrick on why the ball is now in Iran’s court
• Sole survivor walks away from horror plane crash

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Opposition leader Sussan Ley urged the PM not to be a “bystander” in the Australia-US relationship and do everything possible to secure a G7-sideline meeting with Donald Trump.

“We support AUKUS, we (the Coalition) put it in place but we are concerned about this review by the Pentagon,” she said on Friday.

“It adds to a growing list of issues within the US-Australia relationship. It’s important that Anthony Albanese not be a bystander in this relationship.”

“We do have a good case to make about the mutual benefits.”

Ten crossbenchers have penned an open letter to Defence Minister Richard Marles to call for a Parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.

Their call comes after the Pentagon launched a review into the tri-lateral pact between the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, which Mr Marles downplayed as a “natural” process.

The review has, however, stoked fear America might abandon the 2021-formed security partnership, which is supposed to deliver Australia nuclear submarines.

The group, which includes teals Kate Chaney and Allegra Spender as well as Senator’s Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock.

“People across our communities are increasingly concerned about the AUKUS agreement,” they stated.

“Despite these concerns, there has been limited opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny of AUKUS to date. Indeed, both of Australia’s AUKUS partners are conducting similar inquiries.

“We therefore think it is important and timely for parliament to conduct a full and formal inquiry.”

Anthony Albanese has described Australia’s relationship with Fiji as “warm” and his counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka as a “friend” and “trusted partner”.

Donning a Hawaii-style shirt, the Labor leader posed in front of cameras with the Fijian PM on Friday.

“We in Australia understand in today’s uncertain world, what we need is partners and friends that we can rely on who are trusted and you my friend are a trusted partner and friend of Australia. Australia has a very warm friendship,” he said.

“This is a relationship about defence and security, about our economy, but most importantly about our people.”

Mr Albanese joked he’d need to start door knocking in Fiji next election after bumping into only Aussie travellers after touching down in the Pacific nation.

Earlier when the PM touched down in Nadi, he was greeted by military personnel and ceremonial music.

Anthony Albanese has backed the AUKUS pact in the wake of Pentagon’s announced review, saying he was “very confident” it benefited all nations in a high stakes global environment.

His comments mark the first time the PM has addressed the issue after news broke early Thursday morning that the Trump Administration was looking into whether the pact was in America’s interests.

“It will play an important role in peace, security and stability around the world at a time when that is absolutely necessary,” the PM said.

He echoed his Defence Minister Richard Marles comments that the US launching a review was a natural step for an incoming government.

“The United States as an incoming government is having a review just like the Australian government did with our Defence Strategic Review, and just like the government of Keir Starmer in the United Kingdom had as well,” he said.

“We’re very confident though that all, because he’s in the interests of all three of our nations.”

The PM avoided answering a question on Friday, while on a Fiji stopover en route to the G7 in Canada, whether he would bring forward defence spending to appease US calls for allies to raise their defence budgets.

Anthony Albanese has revealed Australia was “very conscious” of the threat of Iran becoming a “nuclear state” would have on peace in the region.

The PM on Friday said Australia was concerned but “very aware” of the escalation in Iran-Israel and he issued citizens and dual-nations in the region to listen to official advice.

“We are very aware of what has occurred. It’s concerning, any escalation in the region,” he said, while speaking in Fiji where he has stopped enroute to the G7 in Canada.

“We, of course, are very conscious of the threat that Iran becoming a nuclear state would represent to peace and security in the region as well.”

He said Australia wanted to “to see dialogue” and flagged that the United States had already been playing an important role on that front.

Anthony Albanese has touched down in Fiji en route to G7 in Canada.

The PM is expected to meet with his counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka where regional security will be on the agenda.

Mr Albanese was met with a ceremonial arrival on the tarmac in Nadi, with military personnel, a musical welcome and red carpet rolled out.

Penny Wong earlier on Friday said the bilateral talks were important between Australia and the “very important partner”.

The PM’s stopover in Nadi will be brief as he’s expected to continue on to Seattle tomorrow and then on to Calary where the G7 will be held.

Australians are being warned not to travel to Iran as a volatile military situation unfolds in the country.

Smartraveller reissued a​​ level 4 warning​​ to Aussies on Friday for Iran and told tourists in the country to “consider leaving as soon as possible”.

“We continue to advise do not travel to Iran,” the warning stated. “There’s an increased risk of military conflict involving air and missile strikes against targets in Iran.

“This could escalate rapidly and without notice. Demonstrations and protest activity may also occur, and local security situations could deteriorate with little notice.”

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They advised tourists already in the country to avoid all demonstrations and protests.

Smart Traveller also warned terrorist attacks could happen anywhere, anytime in Iran without warning, including Tehran or other locations.

The United States has told US citizens in Israel to stay indoors as the country braces for Iranian retaliation for strikes in Tehran.

China has told its citizens in Israel to strengthen security precautions and to limit movement due to the “security situation on the ground”, with the embassy descriving the situation as “complex and severe”.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei released a statement on Friday morning telling Israel to “expect severe punishment”.

“The great nation of Iran,” the statement started.

“The Zionist regime, at dawn today, opened its dirty and bloody hand to a crime in our beloved country and revealed its evil nature more than ever by striking residential centres.

“The regime must expect severe punishment.

“The powerful hand of the Islamic Republic’s armed forces will not abandon him, God willing.

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