The Australian government has dispatched two ADF aircraft to assist citizens stranded in the Middle East, as the conflict in the region escalates. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong confirmed that the first flight from Dubai to Sydney carried over 230 Australians on Wednesday, with three additional flights scheduled for Thursday. Wong acknowledged that more work remains to bring all Australians home, as tens of thousands remain in the affected areas.
Six teams have been deployed to the Middle East to support the consular effort. Wong expressed deep concern over the spread of conflict, noting Iran's attacks on 11 countries, including NATO member Turkey. The government is working to manage the logistical challenge of repatriating citizens amid ongoing hostilities.
Meanwhile, Australian shares are poised to recover some of Wednesday's losses after reports that Iranian authorities are seeking to restart negotiations with the US. The economic impact of the conflict on the Australian budget, due in two months, remains under scrutiny, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers facing questions on the matter.
The repatriation effort comes as other news unfolds, including a parliamentary inquiry into racism against Indigenous Australians and a class action deadline for robodebt victims. The government continues to navigate multiple domestic and international challenges simultaneously.
