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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to Japan this week to meet with his counterpart, Minister of Defense, Koizumi Shinjiro.

In Tokyo, Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Minister Koizumi will convene a ministerial meeting under the Framework for Strategic Defence Coordination.                                                                 

Ministers will discuss important developments in the global and regional security environment, including how Australia and Japan can utilise our indispensable and growing partnership to ensure we are best prepared to respond to common challenges.

Australia and Japan’s relationship is long and enduring, shaped by decades of close cooperation and engagement. Our relationship is underpinned by a shared vision for regional security and a commitment to strengthening our Special Strategic Partnership.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary on the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Australia and Japan, signed on 16 June 1976. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Our relationship with Japan continues to go from strength to strength, underpinned by deep strategic alignment, trust and shared ambition.

“I look forward to meeting with Minister Koizumi to progress implementation of the Framework for Strategic Defence Coordination and to continue strengthening our defence cooperation and Special Strategic Partnership in support of regional security.”

Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom remain deeply concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation and displacement crisis in Lebanon.

We welcome the ceasefire agreed between the United States, Israel and Iran. We call for an urgent end to hostilities in Lebanon.

Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected from the effects of hostilities.

Humanitarian personnel, who dedicate themselves to protecting and assisting the most vulnerable, must be respected and protected.

Attacks that threaten the safety and security of humanitarian personnel must stop. International humanitarian law must be upheld by all parties to the conflict in all circumstances.

Respect for international humanitarian law is essential to preserving human dignity, mitigating civilian harm, and maintaining the space needed for humanitarian action and access.

We condemn in the strongest terms actions that have killed UN peace keepers and significantly increased the risks faced by humanitarian personnel in southern Lebanon.

Meaningful accountability and justice are critical for violations of international law that harm humanitarian personnel or impede their activities.

In September 2025, over 100 nations launched a Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, committing to protect aid workers in conflict zones.

We will continue working together to ensure that those who work to save the lives of others do not have to sacrifice their own.

The US President’s order for US troops to commit further war crimes in Iran as early as tomorrow must be met with sharp condemnation by the Australian Government, the Greens say, and a withdrawal of military support.

Trump has announced that he will order the US Military to destroy civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, unless Iran agrees to American terms for a ceasefire by tomorrow. Destroying civilian infrastructure is a war crime under Article 52 of the Geneva Convention. 

Thousands of civilians have already been killed in the US and Israel’s war on Iran, however this declaration by the US President is a clear escalation.

Australian troops and defence assets are contributing to Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal war through the direct deployment of ADF resources like the SAS and Wedgetail, the use of seconded troops embedded in US forces, and through joint military facilities like Pine Gap.

Acting Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:

“Trump is now openly threatening even more war crimes against the Iranian people. Albanese was among the first world leaders to back these criminal US and Israeli attacks, and ordinary people in Iran, the region and Australia are paying the price. 

“It is time for Albanese to dump Trump, bring the troops home, and focus on helping Australians deal with the fallout of this catastrophe. 

“Australia must not stay hitched to the wagon of an unstable, bloodthirsty President who even his domestic allies say has “gone insane”. He criticises Australia near daily, yet Labor is unwilling to condemn him and his actions.

“The Prime Minister must urgently condemn these planned attacks on civilians, close Pine Gap, and end AUKUS, or our silence will just reinforce the terrifying global consensus that targeting innocent men, women and children is permissible.

“Australians oppose this war, and expect our government to do the same, by actively organising to prevent escalation and war crimes. Silence is not enough.“

Albanese’s government backed this war, has sent military support to prolong it, and  is enabling these constant escalations that are killing countless civilians and wreaking havoc on the cost of living.”

This is a moment of accountability and highlights the appalling cost of war on all sides. No one should be above the law. 

These charges relate to killings that happened in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012, for victims and survivors that is far too long to wait for justice.  

Deployments of troops in overseas conflicts always come at enormous cost to people on the ground who face the horror and brutality of war.

It is essential we remember the human cost of war right now as the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and the Iranian people escalate. 

From the Brereton report onwards there has been a gaping hole in the accountability for what happened in Afghanistan, with the only legal repercussions being directed against non-commissioned troops.

Gold braid on your shoulder is not meant to be legal protection from complicity in war crimes. 

If justice is to be fully delivered there must be further and closer attention paid to the role of senior officers who directed and oversaw Australia’s deployment in Afghanistan. 

The Greens continue to push for a dedicated War Crimes investigation unit within the AFP to build the expertise to rapidly investigate war crimes offences going forward. 

No one, whether accused or survivor, benefits from the delays we have seen to date.

The agreement between Israel, the US and Iran to a two-week ceasefire is a positive development in a war that should have never started. This illegal and chaotic war of choice by the United States must be a turning point for Australia to unshackle itself from the US and pursue an independent defence and foreign policy. 

Following insults and threats from US President Donald Trump over the past weeks, including that “a whole civilisation will die” by the US targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure, the US has agreed to a limited ceasefire with Iran. 

Since the beginning of the US and Israeli war on Iran, devastation and killing have spread throughout the region. The economic and social impacts have been felt in Australia, with the public paying the cost of war through the rising cost of living. 

To its shame, the Albanese Labor Government was the first in the world to support Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal attacks on Iran. Australia has been further involved in the war through US bases, including Pine Gap and North West Cape and hundreds of Australians embedded in the US military. 

Despite strong opposition from the Australian public, the Labor government has delivered everything Donald Trump asked for in this war and its deployments have included SAS troops and an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft being sent to the war zone. 

Acting Greens Leader, Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:

“We welcome this ceasefire and hope it holds, for the safety of civilians in the region and for the good of the world. 

“This war has exposed the consequences of the failure of nations around the world to hold Israel and the US to account for their flagrant disregard for international law.

“Labor’s reckless decision to back the US and Israeli strikes, send military assets to the region, and turn a blind eye to Trump’s escalating threats sends the message that Australia will consider this collapse in international norms acceptable. 

“How many more lives will be stolen before Labor learns its lesson that licking the boots of the US can come to no good?

The Greens are the only anti-war party in the Parliament. The Labor-Liberal-One Nation unity ticket on war has only made Australia less safe and raised the cost of living for everyday Australians. 

“Australia needs to be part of global efforts to build a world that respects human rights, strongly opposes attacks on civilians, and actively works to bring peace. To do that, Labor must dump Trump and cancel AUKUS.”

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson for Defence and Foreign Affairs, said:

“This must be a turning point. This must be the moment where Australia sheds its dependency on the US and starts to chart an independent foreign policy that is focused on peace and stability. That starts with scrapping AUKUS.

“The US is not a trusted friend, and it’s not a dependable ally, it is a force of chaos and aggression. 

“This war has demonstrated that US bases don’t make you safe in any war the US starts, they make your country a target.

“The rapid expansion of US bases in Australia must stop, and facilities like Pine Gap must be closed. They do not make Australians safe and they do not promote stability in the world. 

“The Albanese Labor Government, backed in by the war parties of One Nation and the Liberals, have handcuffed Australia to the US military. This has had devastating impacts on the country and the world. 

“Unless we see clear material actions from the Albanese Government to prevent the US from conducting these wars in the future, then it will be giving a licence for Trump to do this again.

“Australia must now work with middle powers to ensure that this fragile ceasefire can become a lasting peace. It must also enforce consequences on the US for starting this war. 

“This is the time to withdraw Australian troops from the US military, close US bases in Australia and end AUKUS.

“We need to have confidence and courage in Australia’s ability to build peace and security in our region without being hostage to a great and powerful friend with no interests but their own.”

The Greens will oppose Labor’s attempts to slash NDIS funding in the next budget, saying they will back disabled people’s fight for supports all the way. 

The Greens say that amid the establishment of a budget ‘razor gang’,  the government is using disabled people as a scapegoat for balancing the budget, targeting disability supports while other expensive programs go ignored.

If the government is desperate to inflate figures in the budget, they need look no further than AUKUS, which is preparing for a 50% blowout, or could find revenue through a $17bn gas export tax.

Cutting the NDIS is not just cruel, it’s bad economics. Evidence shows that each dollar spent on the NDIS provides $2.25 in economic benefits, through enabling greater workforce participation.

With the budget around the corner, the Greens say they will not support more cuts to the NDIS.

Greens Disability Rights and NDIS spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said:

“The Greens will push back against Labor making any more cuts to the NDIS. Disabled people shouldn’t suffer just because Labor wants to have shinier numbers than the Liberals in the budget papers.

“Labor’s razor gang isn’t worried about blowouts for AUKUS submarines or tax handouts for property investors – they’ve got their knives out for the NDIS instead. There’s always money for war but whenever Labor needs to find a dollar, they put disability supports, schools and hospitals on the chopping block.

“Labor is trying to cut the NDIS instead of taxing gas exports or the 1% because they think that disabled people and our families will be an easier target than corporations or the super wealthy. They’re wrong. 

“Disabled people are used to fighting for their basic rights. They won’t stop now, and the Greens will back their fight. 

“People are using the NDIS to make sure their basic needs are met, and for many disabled people, it’s the first time they’ve had access to a basic level of help needed to live a good life.

“Every cut Labor makes to the NDIS removes a critical support from a disabled person and puts the labour back onto the family to pick up the slack, amid a cost of living crisis. 

“That labour falls disproportionately on women, and NDIS cuts may force carers out of the workforce, putting careers on hold and undoing much of the so-called ‘economic benefit’ from cuts.

“The Greens will fight Labor’s NDIS razor gang the whole way.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Singapore from 9 to 11 April 2026 where he will meet with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Leaders will continue discussions on securing trade in essential supplies, including petroleum oils, such as diesel and liquefied natural gas.

The visit will continue the Government’s regional engagements to keep fuel supply flowing by strengthening fuel access for Australia.

Australia and Singapore share a strong energy trade relationship. Australia is Singapore’s second largest supplier of liquefied natural gas and Singapore is Australia’s largest supplier of refined petroleum products.

Singapore is also Australia’s largest two-way trade partner and investor in Southeast Asia, and one of our closest strategic and economic partners.

This visit follows Australia and Singapore’s joint commitment to keep fuel flowing between both countries, and to work together to strengthen energy supply chain resilience.

Together, we share concern over the situation in the Middle East, including consequences for our region and its prolonged impact on energy supply chains and prices.

Australia and Singapore share a deep strategic trust, respect and shared global outlook, underpinned by our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 2.0. 

Prime Minister Albanese

“Australia is facing a more uncertain world, with energy shocks and supply disruptions affecting prices and livelihoods at home. 

“We do not need to wait for this global crisis to be over, we have to build resilience into the system.

“Australia is currently in a secure position, however engaging with international partners is an important part of keeping our fuel supply flowing.

“We are taking every practical action, including working closely with our international partners, to shield our nation from the worst of this global uncertainty.”

To Australians watching, thank you for your time.

The fuel crisis we face began about five weeks ago.

And Australians deserve two things in this difficult period:

You deserve clarity and leadership.

Regrettably, both have been absent from our government.

Initially, the government denied there was a crisis.

Then, after admitting there was a problem, it failed to act with urgency.

The only thing the government has fuelled is confusion.

Yet, the government deserves credit for adopting the Coalition’s policy to slash the fuel tax – even if it did so belatedly.

But in a crisis, Australians deserve a government that’s transparent and gives you the facts every day.

Instead, it’s taken persistent Coalition questioning in parliament for this government to release any information.

It must stop being led – and start leading.

And it must come clean.

About how many oil shipments are coming into the country.

About our fuel stocks.

About the number of empty servos.

Especially now that Western Australia has declared a state of emergency.

The risk ahead of us is a patchwork of different rules across the country that leave Australians uncertain.

We don’t want to see heavy-handed mandates that restrict people’s freedoms.

And governments must be honest with us about taking any such steps.

Last night, when the Prime Minister addressed the nation, Australians were expecting answers and details.

They received neither.

Unlike the Prime Minister, I’m not going to talk down to you.

Almost all Australians will do the right and responsible things in this crisis.

We’re a compassionate people with mateship at our core.

And whilst there is uncertainty, I’m certain about what we must do.

Urgent action is needed to protect our way of life – and to restore our standard of living.

That requires leadership.

I’m calling on the Prime Minister to do three things:

First, he must outline how he is going to get fuel to where it’s needed in the short term.

Second, the Prime Minister must develop a proper longer-term plan – so Australia never finds itself in this position again.

We must unlock the full potential of our natural resources – by fast-tracking exploration and projects across the country.

We must dig, and we must drill.

We need more Australian oil for Australians.

We have the resources beneath our feet to secure our future.

Third, the Prime Minister and Treasurer must use the upcoming budget not just to respond to this crisis, but to set our country up for the future.

The bigger task ahead is to rebuild an economy that’s resilient, competitive, and capable of delivering rising living standards.

I say to Australians:

Decline is not inevitable.

Damage is not irreparable.

With courageous leadership, we can protect our way of life.

With strong leadership, we can restore our standard of living.

And with inspired leadership, we can rediscover confidence in ourselves – at a time when we must look after ourselves and put Australia first.

Because Australia is worth fighting for, now more than ever.