Nationals leader David Littleproud has said the current government in Iran “needed to change”, as debate continues in Australia over whether Canberra should assist Gulf nations during the escalating regional conflict.
Speaking on ABC Radio National Breakfast, Littleproud said Australia should carefully examine intelligence briefings before making any decision about deploying personnel to the region.
“If you’re going to send Australian personnel to a conflict, that is one of the most important decisions any government would make,” he said.
Call for careful decision-making
Littleproud said it was important for the government and opposition to work together on national security decisions.
“I think it’s important to work through this calmly, to understand the intelligence and the briefings that the government has to get to this juncture,” he said.
He added that bipartisan cooperation was necessary to ensure Australia took a measured approach.
“That’s why you want to be constructive with the government.”
Comments on Iranian leadership
Littleproud also criticised Iran’s leadership, arguing the country’s current political system oppressed its people.
“The reality is, we believe in regime change,” he said.
“This was a tyrant that was oppressing the people of Iran.”
He said the future of the country should ultimately be determined by its citizens.
“What’s important here is that the people of Iran are empowered and given back their country through whatever mechanism that they should determine.”
Possible Australian support
Littleproud suggested Australia could potentially assist Gulf nations facing threats in the conflict.
He said Australia may possess capabilities that could complement the defensive efforts of regional allies if support were requested.
The remarks come as Australia considers how it should respond to escalating hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
The federal government has indicated it may consider defensive military support for Gulf nations, but has ruled out sending Australian troops into a ground war.
