Anthony Albanese has defended the decision not to send a warship to the Middle East despite an American request, saying the US administration respects the call.
A US request was made to send a Royal Australian Navy ship to secure international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, as Iran-backed Houthi rebels blockade the waters in support of Palestine during the conflict in the Middle East.
While Australian navy personnel will be sent to the region, the prime minister rejected criticism the government was not doing enough to help the US in its military efforts.
"The US administration is very satisfied that our priority and the role that we play in our region in the Indo-Pacific, a fairly large region that we look after, is absolutely the priority, and we work very closely with our American friends," he told Sky News on Friday.
"We're one of 39 countries that are involved in the operation (in the Middle East) to support maritime activity there at the base in Bahrain.
"We're providing additional support there which is appropriate."
Up to six extra Australian Defence Force officers will be deployed to Bahrain as part of the Combined Maritime Forces early next year, with five personnel already embedded in the operation.
But the decision to not send a ship has been criticised by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who said it would be welcomed by Hamas, which is deemed a terrorist organisation by the federal government.
"It takes a lot of effort with a special blend of weakness and incompetence for our prime minister to turn his back on our closest ally," he said on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
"The Albanese government is an international laughing stock. The decision should be reversed and our integrity restored."
The prime minister said the decision had not let down the US or damaged relations with our major ally.
"If Peter Dutton wants to continue to just snipe at the sidelines at decision that have been made by the Australian government with the support of the Australian Defence Force, that's a matter for him," he said.
Deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley said Australia just sending military personnel was not enough.
"Our allies will be there for us in our time of need. We should be there when they make this respectful request. We're calling on the government to reverse their decision," she told reporters in Wodonga.
"We should be supporting our allies in an effort that, amongst other things, contributes to world peace in challenging geostrategic circumstances."
It comes as the US has indicated it would support a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at increasing aid into Gaza.
Talks are continuing in Egypt to get Israel and Hamas to agree to a new ceasefire arrangement in order for more hostages to be released.
Mr Albanese also called for an end to hostilities in the Middle East.
"We want to see a move towards a sustainable ceasefire, but it can't be one-sided," he told reporters in Cairns.
"It has to involve security for Israel (regarding) Gaza not being used ongoing as a launch pad for terrorist attacks. And we say very clearly that we mourn every innocent life that has been lost in this conflict, whether it be Israeli or Palestinian."
