What does Australia expect to gain by snubbing Trump?

Ignoring President Trump’s plea dishonours every Digger who fought beside Americans.

The Strait of Hormuz is the artery carrying one-fifth of the world’s oil. President Trump’s call for allied warships to protect it from Iranian threats was a test of resolve. Australia’s response was lazy and irresponsible. Refusing to send even a single vessel was to turn our back on the United States. Not just any ally, but the nation that has bled for us and with us, time and again.

In France, on the islands of the Pacific, in Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan – even in Darwin – American blood has soaked the same battlefields as ours. Anzus rests on that shared sacrifice. Aukus, our most significant defence enabler in history, is the generational result of it.

Ignoring President Trump’s plea dishonours every Digger who fought beside Americans and signals to the world that Australia cannot be counted on when it matters. We’ve never been here before.

My latest in The Spectator Australia, What does Australia expect to gain by snubbing Trump?

The Strait of Hormuz is the artery carrying one-fifth of the world’s oil.

President Trump’s call for allied warships to protect it from Iranian threats was a test of resolve.

Australia’s response was lazy and irresponsible.

Refusing to send even a single vessel was to turn our… pic.twitter.com/fMHoZYVebL

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) March 19, 2026