Anthony Albanese labels US President Donald Trump’s ‘whole civilisation will die’ comments inappropriate

Anthony Albanese has labelled US President Donald Trump’s Iran war warning a ‘whole civilisation will die” as inappropriate and “extraordinary” statements by a world leader.

The Australian Prime Minister expressed his criticism when welcoming a ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran, which is subject to the Islamic Republic reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to use language such as that from the President of the United States, and I think it will cause some concern,” Mr Albanese told Sky on Wednesday.

“The potential of damage to civilian infrastructure in Iran was an extraordinary statement to make.

“We’ve said very clearly that the conduct of any conflict must be within international law, and that provides for making sure that civilians who aren’t parties to the conflict are given every protection possible.”

When asked if Mr Trump’s language constituted a “war crime”, Mr Albanese said: “It’s a long step between a tweet and that suggestion”.

“What we have called for is a de-escalation, and that is what has occurred, and that’s a good thing.”

Despite his objection to the rhetoric out of Washington, Mr Albanese said Australia’s alliance with the United States remained strong.

It comes after the US President has publicly criticised Australia’s lack of support in Iran and in his pursuit to reopen the Strait of Hormuz three times since the first US-Israel strikes on February 28.

“The United States is our most important ally. They remain our most important ally,” he said.

“The relationship between our two nations is a relationship on many levels between leaders.

“I’ve had a constructive relationship with President Trump.

“But it’s also between our armed forces, between our economies and between business people, and people-to-people links as well.

“We are two great democracies, and that will continue into the future.”

When asked about the Prime Minister’s commentary on Mr Trump during a press conference in Melbourne on Wednesday, Opposition leader Angus Taylor refrained from criticism.

“Look, they’re not the words I would use,” he said.

“The outcome is what I want to see. That we have an opening up in the Strait of Hormuz.

“We have oil and refined products moving through, coming to Australia, putting downward pressure on prices at the bowser here in this country.”

“We absolutely welcome the ceasefire. We want to see it hold, and we want to see ships moving again.”

Energy Minister Chris Bowen says while the number of stations without fuel is decreasing, Australia was “continuing to deal with very high demand for diesel” with the issue acute in NSW.

Mr Bowen said there were a total of 221 service stations without diesel out of the 7,940 total sites in Australia. It equates to about three per cent currently without diesel supply.

“The supply chain in regional New South Wales, in particular, has been stretched as its sowing and seeding season,” Mr Bowen said.

“We have, with the industry, been prioritising getting diesel to farmers so they can get their crops into the ground.

“But nevertheless, good progress, more work to do to ensure that that fuel continues to flow to where it’s needed.”

Mr Bowen, Mr Albanese and several other frontbenchers including Penny Wong, Richard Marles and Julie Collins have launched an international blitz to speak with counterparts about Australia’s energy security.

Mr Bowen, who spoke to his Malaysian counterpart overnight, said it was important as Australia is reliant on Asian markets for petrol, diesel and jet fuels, while many other nations rely on Aussie LNG.

“We’ve been very pleased that our counterparts have recognised their role in being a reliable energy supplier to Australia when it comes to liquid fuels, just as they recognise our role and our history as reliable suppliers of other types of energy,” he said.