David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. Could the minister advise the Senate what the government's response has been to the recent attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Fawcett for his question. As most Australians will be aware, a deliberate attack was made against civilian oil production infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure is against international humanitarian law and against the law of armed conflict. The Australian government calls on all parties to cease targeting civilian property, including ports, airports, civilian shipping and other non-military locations. We condemn the deliberate targeting of civilian assets and commercial infrastructure. We are still assessing information and working with our international partners and our posts overseas to fully understand the extent of the damage that has been caused by the attacks on oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the implications for Australia for regional security and for global trade. Further analyses of the attacks are being done by experts. Australia will make our own assessments, taking into account all the information available as it comes to us. We are deeply concerned by this deliberate attack, which is clearly designed to destabilise the global economy and to affect people's livelihoods. We will continue to work with our allies and partners to ensure regional and global stability in every way that we can.

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Fawcett, a supplementary question?

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Could the minister advise the Senate what the implications of this attack are for global fuel supplies?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said in my previous response, the government is of course working with our international partners to fully understand the extent of the attacks and the damage caused in relation to oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. I do note, however, as the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction has said today, that there is no immediate threat to Australia's fuel supplies. The International Energy Agency has advised that global markets are well supplied with ample commercial stocks, and it is monitoring the situation, as we would expect. Australia is ready to work with the International Energy Agency and its member countries as the situation becomes clearer and as those damage assessments that I have referred to are made.

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Fawcett, a final supplementary question?

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Could the minister update the Senate on whether the government has any updated or revised advice for Australians planning to travel to Saudi Arabia or the Middle East more broadly?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

That's a very important question from Senator Fawcett. This government places the safety of Australians and their interests at home and overseas as its highest priority. Aside from safety against terrorism, cyberattack, foreign interference and other threats, the government is determined to provide travelling Australians with up-to-date advice on safety and security through my department's Smartraveller website. I urge all Australians and dual nationals travelling overseas to monitor the Smartraveller website; to check for updates regularly, even after the journey has begun; and to heed the advice for all countries they are travelling to or through. The travel advice level for Saudi Arabia and other nations in the Middle East is at the second-highest level: 'reconsider your need to travel'. There are parts of Saudi Arabia and other nations in the Middle East that are at the highest level of warning: 'do not travel.' In some countries there is risk that Australians and Australian dual nationals could be caught up in attacks made against airports and other civilian infrastructure or other terrorist attacks. (Time expired)