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

Senator Stewart and many others, I am sure, will have had Australians seeking consular advice, and I'm pleased that over 10,000 Australians have now returned home from the Middle East on direct flights since 4 March. I thank regional partners, commercial airlines and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials for helping to bring Australians home. We are continuing to engage with our partners through this conflict to respond to the unprecedented shock in the global economy. We've joined 34 countries in a statement to condemn attacks by Iran and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. And Australia co-sponsored a decision of the IMO council condemning Iran's attack on seafarers and merchant vessels in the strait. We will remain focused on building our resilience to withstand global shocks, making sovereign choices to keep Australians and our economy moving no matter what the world throws at us. The Prime Minister will have more to say this evening when he addresses the nation.