Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

Again, I listened to Senator Shoebridge in silence, and I would seek the same respect.

Iran's reprisal attacks continue to escalate. Already, the scale and the depth are not what we have seen before. Twelve countries in the region have now been targeted. The UAE—which recently, Senator Shoebridge, contrary to what you said in your contribution, signed a free trade agreement with Australia—have been forced to shoot down 1,500 rockets and drones. It's a growing wave of dangerous and destabilising attacks from Iran that puts civilian lives at risk, including Australian lives. There's something like 24,000 Australian citizens who live in the United Arab Emirates.

In response to a request from our friends in the UAE, Australia will deploy an E-7A Wedgetail to the gulf to help protect and defend Australians and other civilians. Australians will remember that these E-7A Wedgetails were recently deployed in Europe as part of our assistance to the Ukraine. As it did there, the Wedgetail will provide long-range reconnaissance capabilities, which will secure the airspace above the gulf. These are entirely defensive actions, Senator Shoebridge. A number of ADF personnel will be deployed for an initial four weeks in support of the collective self-defence of the gulf nations. Additionally, in response to a request, the Albanese government intends to provide advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles to the UAE so they can defend themselves and shoot down these rockets and drones that are being aimed at them by the Iranian government.

The Albanese government has been clear that we are not taking offensive action against Iran, and been clear that we are not deploying Australian troops on the ground in Iran. On that basis, I move:

That the question be now put.