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.
