‘Tenunous’: Ted O’Brien concerned about fragile US-Iran deal
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The news: Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Ted O’Brien has warned the agreement between the US and Iran is “tenuous” amid fresh tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking on ABC Insiders on Sunday morning AEST, O’Brien said he believes the current arrangement is tenuous and “any peace that’s been discussed over recent times has been fragile”.
“That shouldn’t take away, of course, our desire to see a successful negotiation over the now nearly 60 days ahead,” he said.
O’Brien has also thrown support behind the federal government’s plan to extend the fuel excise relief for a month at a lower rate.
The context: There are fresh fears about the Strait of Hormuz with Iran claiming it would again close the strait following Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
“There’s no doubt we’re at a very, very, very, very fragile stage of negotiation,” O’Brien said.
“My hope is that both Israel and Hezbollah lay down their weapons, so that negotiation can succeed again, whether that happens is going to be subject to their own behavior.”
O’Brien refused to say whether or not the US-Iran war had been worthwhile.
“I’m saying right now nobody can tell you the result of a negotiation yet to take place,” he said when pressed.
He said the basic principle behind why the Coalition backed the war was to ensure the regime does not have a nuclear weapon and to downgrade Iran’s missile capabilities.
“I think the message it sends to everybody is that we are entering a new era of diplomacy, a new era of international affairs, where security and economics are converging, they’re intertwined,” he said.
When asked about One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson’s National Press Club address last week where she said Australia shouldn’t be multicultural, O’Brien said he disagrees with her on this point.
“Did Senator Hanson make a decent point about a fraying of social cohesion in Australia? Yes, I believe she did. Again, I think her solution is completely wrong,” he said. “What we should be doing is focusing on the importance of Australian values.”
But he refused to rule out preferencing One Nation.
“If I have to have a choice between preferencing someone like One Nation versus preferencing the Greens, give me One Nation,” he said.
What they said: “I think the real test for them [Labor] is whether or not they find budget offsets to pay for [the fuel excise extension],” O’Brien said.
“Previously, they didn’t do that, which is why we see inflation continuing to rage in Australia,” he said.
“I believe it is a practical next step again, because they are limiting the time scope, it’s a tapering down. However, the key thing from my mind is whether or not they find room in their budget to pay for it.”
The source: ABC Insiders
