Australia will not send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, despite rising tensions in the Middle East, according to federal infrastructure minister Catherine King.
The strait — one of the world’s most important oil shipping corridors — has effectively been disrupted amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Speaking on RN radio, King said Australia had no plans to deploy naval vessels to assist military operations in the region.
Government says Australia prepared
King said Australia remains well prepared to handle the potential economic impacts of the crisis.
“We’re well prepared as a nation,” she said.
However, the minister acknowledged that the longer the conflict continues, the more global economic effects could spread beyond the Middle East.
“It’s clear the longer the war continues, the greater the impacts will be felt, not just by us but across the Asia-Pacific region,” she said.
Fuel supply remains stable
Despite disruptions to one of the world’s key oil shipping routes, the minister said Australia’s fuel supply remains stable.
She noted that ships scheduled to deliver fuel to Australia are still arriving as planned.
“At this stage, all of the ships that were planned to come into Australia are coming in,” King said.
Local distribution challenges
King acknowledged there may be local distribution issues in some areas, but stressed that Australia’s national fuel reserves provide a buffer.
The country’s fuel stockpile system, introduced to strengthen energy security, means Australia has reserve supplies of petrol, diesel and aviation fuel.
Officials say these reserves should help cushion any short-term disruptions in global energy markets.
For now, the government says it will continue monitoring developments in the Middle East as the conflict evolves.