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Key events
Butler also avoids ‘daily commentary’ on Trump
The government has reaffirmed it will not send troops to reopen the strait of Hormuz.
The health minister, Mark Butler, spoke to ABC News Breakfast this morning, and said Australia only remains involved in a small defensive capacity, providing a military aircraft to support the United Arab Emirates.
We don’t have any plans to do that. I think that’s been made clear by a number of ministers, we are involved in some defensive operations to protect those innocent neighbours, particularly the UAE, where there are many thousands of Australians as expats. We don’t have any plans to participate in military activities in the strait.
Butler also avoids making running commentary on Donald Trump, and says despite the escalation in the Middle East, he believes the alliance and Aukus agreement with the US is rock solid.
We’re very confident about the future of Aukus, the US, president, the administration, more broadly, the Congress, has made clear its commitment to that important security partnership …
This is why we don’t provide a daily commentary on the remarks made by the US president. We’re focused on the substance of our relationship.
‘I’d be a very busy boy’: O’Brien avoids judgement on Trump’s comments
Asked what he made of Donald Trump’s comments, telling European allies to “get your own oil”, Ted O’Brien says he wouldn’t comment.
Trump on his Truth Social website overnight, told European governments worried about fuel prices to “go get your own oil” by force from the Gulf, comments that sent oil prices even higher.
On AM, O’Brien said either way the Strait of Hormuz is still blocked, and should be unblocked.
I’ve deliberately avoided making a running commentary on the comments from the president, I’d be a very busy boy if I did otherwise.
I think though, if you look through the language and the tone of the President to the key issue here, we have the Strait of Hormuz still effectively blocked. It is in the globe’s interest, indeed, it is in Australia’s national interest for it to be opened.
Australia contributing to offensive action in strait of Hormuz ‘in national interest’, says shadow foreign minister
The opposition says we should be “open” to sending assets and personnel to open up the strait of Hormuz, but questioned Australia’s capability.
Speaking to ABC’s AM program this morning, shadow foreign minister Ted O’Brien said supporting action to open up the strait would be in Australia’s national interest.
The key question is, is it in our national interest? And my view is yes, it is. The second question is, what can we contribute in a material sense, that part of the equation we are yet to understand? And I think they’re the two questions that need to be answered … but I believe we should be open to making contribution.
But he clarified that would not mean sending “boots on the ground” into Iran or participating directly in the war.
O’Brien said supporting efforts to clear the strait are “not unlike previous conversations” where the government deployed the E7-A wedge tail aircraft and personnel with bipartisan support.
Natasha May
Hike in health insurance premiums comes into effect today
The largest increase in private health insurance premiums in almost 10 years comes into effect today.
After multiple requests asking insurers to resubmit their premiums, the government in February approved an average premium increase of 4.41% from 1 April 2026.
The health minister, Mark Butler, said the ultimate increase reflected the rising costs of providing care and ensuring the viability of private hospitals.
However, with premiums rising faster than inflation, many consumers are questioning the value proposition. You can read more about why some are losing confidence here:
Welcome
Krishani Dhanji
Good morning, Krishani Dhanji here with you for the final sitting day of the fortnight.
After a couple of technical glitches we are here with you and ready to go!
Australians will face the biggest rise in insurance premiums in almost 10 years, after the government approved an average premium increase of 4.41% that will come into effect today.
The government’s fuel excise has just come into effect – but Labor says don’t expect the savings to show up today. Meanwhile both sides of politics are avoiding responding to Donald Trump’s latest criticism of European nations, telling them to “get your own oil”, after he criticised them for not supporting the US’s offensive efforts in the Middle East.
And Labor’s draft national platform has been released, removing the party’s longstanding opposition to mandatory jail terms, and includes more assertive language on China. You can read the full story here.
There’s plenty happening so let’s get stuck in.
