Television Interview, Sky News First Edition

SUBJECT/S: Conflict in the Middle East.

PETE STEFANOVIC, HOST:  Let's go back to Canberra now. Joining us is the Defence Minister, Richard Marles. Minister, thank you so much for your time this morning. So, can I start off by asking, were we given any advance notice that this bombing campaign was about to commence?

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, RICHAED MARLES: No, but we wouldn't have expected to be given that notice. This is an action which has been taken by the United States and by Israel, as both countries have said, and we wouldn't expect to have been given an indication of that beforehand. 

STEFANOVIC: Even though we've got military assets in the region.

MARLES: No, but I mean, look, we've been able to watch, as other countries have, around the region, the build up. So, I mean, we've had a sense that something is brewing, if you like. And, you know, our systems talk very organically, but we were not given a heads up in relation to this and we wouldn't have expected to be. The actual moment of taking the action is something which is held very tightly. And this ultimately was an action that was done by America and Israel.

STEFANOVIC: And do you support and agree with these attacks?

MARLES: Well, we've made very, very clear that we support America in doing what it's doing to prevent Iran acquiring a nuclear capability. We've been saying that from the outset. Obviously, the world stands opposed to Iran gaining that capability and were Iran to do that, it would be a very, very bad moment for, for the world. And more than that, we've also made it clear that we stand in support of the Iranian people as they have been standing up against what is an appalling and an oppressive regime. You know, we were not a part of this, but the regime in Iran is absolutely despicable and we have condemned it in the strongest possible terms. It has killed thousands of its citizens. It has, we know, been involved in at least two attacks in Australia against our own Jewish community. And so, you know, there is no love lost for the Iranian regime.

STEFANOVIC: Okay, you didn't mention Israel there, too. I mean, do you also support the Israeli aspect in terms of their bombing campaign and their support of the Americans over Iran?

MARLES: Well, obviously this is a coordinated action between Israel and the United States, and we do support this action in terms of preventing Iran acquiring a nuclear capability. And so that is very much the case. And it's very clear that the United States and Israel are working hand in glove in respect to this.

STEFANOVIC: Okay, we did touch on this a little earlier, but American military assets have been struck overnight. Unfortunately, it seems three American soldiers have been killed at an army base in Kuwait. How concerned are you about our assets getting hit in all of this?

MARLES: Well, we do have Australians across the region. I mean, there's a lot of Australians- civilians across the Middle Eastern region- something in the order of 115,000 Australians are across the region. So, there is a very significant consular effort which is underway right now in respect of them. In terms of Australian Defence Force personnel, we've got over 100 Australian Defence Force personnel around the region most of those are in the UAE where we do have a base at Al Minhad, which is outside of Dubai. We've taken measures in respect of the safety of all of those Australian personnel and all of them are accounted for. And so we are very much concerned but confident about their well being and we're very attendant to that. More broadly, obviously there is a consular challenge in respect of the many Australians across the region and we continue to work very hard on that.

STEFANOVIC: Sure. Have we been asked to help militarily at all?

MARLES: No. And this is, as I said, an action which is being undertaken by these two countries.

STEFANOVIC: Ok, but if they were to ask, would you be open to that or are you just going to leave it there?

MARLES: Look, I mean, I'm not in the habit of speculating. This is an action that's being undertaken by the US and Israel and leave it at that.

STEFANOVIC: Do you think there's a need, and I think the Foreign Minister spoke about this a short while ago, but is there a need to get more of our diplomats out of the region now?

MARLES: Well, I mean, our diplomatic presence in the region is obviously very important and we are very mindful of their safety. We have taken steps actually in the days leading up to this because, you know, we could see what was brewing in respect of their dependents, and we made that announcement a few days ago before this action started. But having said that, you know, our focus is on the consular challenge. There is 115,000 Australians, as I said, across the region. There's a lot of work which needs to be done in respect of them. The crisis portal is open, has been open for a few days now for those in Iran and Israel- Australians- that has today been extended to include Australians who are in the UAE and Qatar. And you know, we are very much monitoring this situation very closely to make sure that can get advice out to those Australians that we're in touch with them and that we monitor this as events progress.

STEFANOVIC: Right. I mean, obviously it's a complication with the no fly zone, the airspace being closed, I should say. So, what do you do about, you know, repatriation flights or things of that nature?

MARLES: Yeah, and look, you've highlighted the fundamental point here. I mean, people are obviously asking that question about repatriation flights, but as you just said, the fundamental issue here is that airspace is completely closed. And so really, it's a question of when will airspace open in any form? And we engage in contingency planning, which I wouldn't speculate on, other than to say that we would expect that when airspace does open, it will actually be commercial flights, which are in the most expeditious situation to resume. But we will keep an eye on all of that and we'll be making sure that we are conveying all of that information across the crisis portal and we're doing our best to be in contact with all the Australians.

STEFANOVIC: And just a final point here. I mean, Barnaby Joyce- excuse me, Minister- Barnaby Joyce just shared his concerns about our lack of a refining capacity when it comes to oil locally. If the Strait of Hormuz is closed I mean, are we exposed? Isn't it an example of us, again, being exposed by not having enough refining capacities here at home?

MARLES: Well, refining capacity is one issue, but even what we refine in Australia now relies heavily on imported crude oil. So, refining is one element of it, but it's actually about having oil reserves. And, I mean, if you look at the refinery in my neck of the woods in my electorate, it used to refine heavily out of Bass Strait, but now it largely refines imported crude oil. Look, we take crude oil from around the world, but that would include from the Middle East, but it's not the only place where we take crude oil from. But I guess what that highlights is that, I mean, this is an important region, it has an impact on the global economy. We'll all be watching that very closely. Exactly what impact it has as a function of how long this continues. And again, I wouldn't speculate on that, but, I mean, there's definitely an economic dimension to what's going on here.

STEFANOVIC: Okay, I'm out of time, but Richard Marles, always good to have you with us. Thank you so much. 

ENDS