Shadow foreign minister Simon Birmingham and the opposition are calling for Trade Minister Don Farrell to apologise after the Labor frontbencher declared the United States is not Australia’s most trusted ally.
Simon Birmingham demands Don Farrell 'set the record straight' after major claim about US-Australia relationship
Mr Birmingham appeared on Sky News Australia’s AM Agenda on Tuesday to denounce the senior Cabinet Minister's comments, and demand he"set the record straight". The Liberal Senator pointed to the Five Eyes agreement and the AUKUS partnership as evidence of the US’ principal position as an Australian ally.
Mr Farrell was standing in for Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong when he seemingly dismissed the US in his ranking of foreign allies. In his criticism, Mr Birmingham noted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles “had sought to be clear” about the US’ position as Australia’s closest ally and principal strategic partner.
“That’s why he ought to be pretty quick to correct the record or have the Prime Minister haul him into line.”