Peter Stefanovic: So let’s go now to Canberra, where US President Donald Trump has taken a shot at Australia over our lack of help in his war with Iran. Joining us live, the Shadow Communications Minister, Sarah Henderson. So first of all, what do you make of Trump’s swipe at us overnight, Sarah?
Senator Henderson: Well Pete, good morning. This is the second time the President has singled out Australia. It is very concerning and I think at this time of national crisis, the government does need to come clean with what engagement has been had between the United States and Australia. As I say, it’s quite embarrassing that on the international stage, we have been called out as not providing the appropriate assistance to the United States.
The US is our strongest defence ally and so this is pretty grim news overnight from the United States. And the Prime Minister must immediately provide the Australian people with the information as to what engagement there has been, why the President has singled out Australia again after, of course, we were very slow in signing that international letter supporting the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. So not a good time and of course, this just shows again, Pete, that the government is continuing to mismanage this very serious national fuel crisis.
Peter Stefanovic: We’ll get to that in a moment but just back on the on the Americans, what could or should we be doing or offering up?
Senator Henderson: Well, this prime minister and this government needs to act in the national interest, and it is not in our national interest when the President singles out our country in the way that has happened a number of hours ago.
Peter Stefanovic: But should we be sending a vessel in or planes, or have you got an idea on what we could be doing on that front?
Senator Henderson: The first thing that I would say, Pete is that we need to understand what requests have been made by the United States. Why has the President again singled out Australia? This Prime Minister is clearly not acting in the national interest when this has happened again. As I say, we were very slow to sign the international statement supporting the opening of the Strait of Hormuz which of course, is vital for oil supplies including to our country. That was very embarrassing. We did not understand why Australia did not jump out of the blocks to support the United States. But again this is just a pretty dire situation and the Prime Minister, frankly, has got a lot of explaining to do.
Peter Stefanovic: It does seem something has happened and we’re unclear. There has been some kind of discussion but yeah, we don’t know what happened as of yet anyway. So you do make a good point on that one. Just before we go, Sarah, let’s cover the fuel crisis now. And it is a crisis because more and more stations are running out of fuel. Australia Post this week announced that it will raise its fuel levy, in some cases tripling. So what’s your reaction? What’s your thoughts on that and concerns moving forward?
Senator Henderson: Well, Pete, we have seen an absolute failure of leadership by this government on the national fuel crisis. For a number of weeks, we were told we were extremists, we were panicking, there was nothing to see here, no problem with fuel supply. We now have more than 600 petrol stations out of fuel. Why isn’t the government providing a daily update as to where there are fuel shortages? What is the plan? What are the contingencies in place? It now seems that the Prime Minister is deflecting to the States.
But where is the leadership on this, what I would say, Pete, is a price gouge. The Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, is again missing in action when Australia Post gouges small businesses because we know that the parcel business and this fuel surcharge is going up from 4.8 per cent to 12 per cent, that’s an enormous increase. This is one of the most profitable parts of Australia Post’s business. Why did not the minister say, hang on a minute, at a time when Australians are going to need targeted relief, when Australians are hurting, can barely put food on the table, why gouge ordinary Australians, small businesses, when so many more of course, I imagine will be working from home? It’s just another indication that this government does not care about the impact that’s happening on Australians and is not able to manage this national crisis.
Peter Stefanovic: We will leave it there. Sarah, thank you, though.