Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you for the question, Senator Ciccone, and I want to start by emphasising how distressing and challenging a time this is for Australians in the region and for their friends and families. I have been upfront that this is a difficult situation and there will be difficult days ahead.

The Albanese government will continue to do all we can to support Australians, providing up-to-date information while airspace remains closed, recognising there are limits on what we can do in this security environment. We have activated the crisis centre, and officials are working literally around the clock to support Australians. Today, I asked the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that our registration process is open to people in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar impacted by travel disruptions. Yesterday, we opened the registration portal for Australians in Iran or Israel. Australians requiring urgent consular assistance can contact the consular emergency centre.