Australia news live: Penny Wong warns Middle East ceasefire is ‘fragile’; Albanese heads to Singapore after Brunei talks

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Shadow defence minister ‘reluctant’ to listen to Iran over Lebanon’s inclusion in ceasefire deal

James Paterson, the shadow minister for defence, said he is “reluctant” to listen to Iran on whether or not Lebanon was included in a ceasefire deal announced yesterday as Israel continues to bombard the country.

On the one hand, the United States and Israel say that the ceasefire did not include Lebanon, and on the other hand, the Islamic Republic of Iran is saying that it did include Lebanon.

I am personally reluctant to endorse claims made by a country which has sponsored terrorist attacks on Australian soil.

Australians are seeing what is happening in a number of countries in the Middle East and responding with compassion. We recognise this is a time when Australians are also doing it tough and we appreciate how they are recognising the depth of the humanitarian crisis and responding.