SENATOR THE HON SIMON BIRMINGHAM
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

THE HON ANGUS TAYLOR MP
SHADOW TREASURER
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR HUME

THE HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CANNING

Monday 15 January 2024

The Prime Minister’s weak leadership in the fight against the Red Sea terrorists is damaging our economic security, pushing up inflation and the cost of living for working Australians.

Rising inflation and cost of living pressures caused by trade insecurity will bite, and bite hard.

Shipping costs have surged more than 600 per cent since October 2023 as Houthi terror attacks disrupt trade and divert container vessels away from the area.

Inflation is escalating and the cost of goods are going up.

Ordinary Australians will pay more because of the Albanese Government’s weak handling of international crises, the knock-on cost of living pressures and their passive approach to fighting inflation.

The confidence of our US and UK allies is also diminished with the Albanese Government’s persistent failure to step up with a maritime contribution to Red Sea operations.

While our AUKUS partners defend vital trade routes against Houthi rebels, Australia is sitting on the sidelines, letting our allies do the heavy lifting.

The right question was put to the Prime Minister this morning when asked by a journalist whether Australia was punching below our weight.

The Coalition recognises the important role of our Australian Defence Force personnel serving with distinction in the operational headquarters. However, as nations smaller than ours send a similar number of personnel to the region, it is embarrassing that the Albanese Government refuses to match the muscle our closest allies are providing in the region.

Australians are already paying the price for Anthony Albanese’s failures on the economy, and now we will pay the price for his failure of leadership on the world stage.

This is just another case of a Prime Minister who makes the wrong calls when it comes to the economy and is weak on national security.