Former prime minister Tony Abbott has called for Australia to join the conflict in the Middle East, arguing that armed forces should be used to support allies in what he described as a just cause.
His comments came amid a broader live news update that also reported the death of Queensland MP Jimmy Sullivan.
The live coverage focused heavily on the fallout from the Iran war and the political reaction in Australia. The head of the International Monetary Fund warned that the conflict could permanently scar the global economy, even if a durable peace deal is eventually reached. The IMF said that even in its most hopeful scenario, there would be a growth downgrade and no clean return to the status quo.
Abbott criticised Labor’s response to Israel, saying previous statements from foreign minister Penny Wong, including expressions of concern and grave concern, had not changed the situation. He argued that stronger action was needed and said cancelling more than a billion dollars in Israeli arms contracts would be a meaningful response.
He said such a move would not only respond to what he described as the moral situation created by Israeli military attacks, but would also place real pressure on Israel to pull back from what he called a disastrous, illegal and immoral war in Lebanon.
Abbott also said Australia should not be buying weapons that have been tested by Israeli defence manufacturers in conflicts such as Gaza and Lebanon, and should not be contributing weapons parts. He added that cutting those contracts would send a clear message to Israel that the decisions would come at a direct cost.
The live blog noted that the war is being closely watched for its wider economic and geopolitical impact. The IMF’s warning underscored concerns that the conflict could have long-term consequences far beyond the battlefield, affecting growth and stability even if peace is eventually restored.
The updates also placed Australia’s domestic political debate in the context of the wider Middle East crisis. Abbott’s intervention is the latest in a series of comments from Australian political figures responding to the conflict, with pressure building on the government over its position on Israel, Lebanon and the arms trade.
The live coverage was published on 9 April 2026 and continued to track reactions to the escalating war, the economic warnings from international institutions and the domestic political consequences in Australia.
