Scott Morrison stunned to discover Australia not legally obliged to follow U.S. into every conflict
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has declared himself “gobsmacked” that Australia has not gone further in supporting the United States in its latest confrontation with Iran. What a remarkable late discovery of how sovereignty works.
Speaking with the confidence of a man who once secretly appointed himself to multiple ministries, Morrison expressed disbelief that the Albanese government had stopped short of offering unconditional military support.
“I think it’s important that allies understand that turning up in these circumstances is not just (being) there to support the US… their own interests are heavily engaged,” he said
For many Australians, however, the confusion appears to run in the opposite direction.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Albanese, the government has taken the radical position that committing Australian lives to a foreign conflict might require, at the very least, a clear national interest, parliamentary debate, and perhaps even public consent – an approach Morrison seems to regard as both novel and deeply inconvenient.
Critics have long pointed out that Australia is not, in fact, the 51st state of the United States, nor is it bound by any treaty requiring automatic participation in conflicts involving either Washington or Jerusalem. While the ANZUS alliance does provide for consultation, it stops conspicuously short of demanding unquestioning obedience – an omission Morrison now appears keen to rectify retroactively.
During his time in office, Morrison cultivated a reputation as one of America’s most reliable allies, a role that often blurred the line between strategic partnership and enthusiastic alignment. His comments suggest that, in his view, the distinction may have been entirely unnecessary.
Indeed, Morrison’s apparent astonishment could prompt a renewed discussion about Australia’s place in the world. Is the nation an independent middle power capable of making its own strategic decisions, or a junior partner expected to nod along whenever the White House clears its throat?
For many, the answer seems obvious. For Morrison, it appears to have come as something of a shock.
There is, of course, a long tradition in Australian politics of former leaders offering unsolicited advice from the sidelines. What makes Morrison’s contribution stand out is not the advice itself, but the underlying assumption: that Australia’s default setting should be participation, and that restraint requires explanation.
To be fair, Morrison is not alone in equating alliance loyalty with automatic involvement. It is a comfortable position, requiring little more than enthusiasm and a willingness to stand close to the action, preferably just behind someone larger.
What makes his latest comments noteworthy is the sense of betrayal they imply: that by hesitating, Australia has somehow failed in its duties – not under international law, but under a more informal arrangement best described as expectation.
For now, the government seems content to maintain a position that can best be described as cautiously adult: supportive of allies, wary of escalation, and reluctant to sign up to wars without a clear endpoint.
Morrison, meanwhile, remains “gobsmacked.”
Which may be less an indictment of government policy, and more a revealing glimpse into how he believes Australia should behave.
And that may be the most unsettling part of all.
See also:
Tony Abbott volunteers Australia for a war nobody asked us to join
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Aussies would have paid to smack that gob!
Would have earned more than Robodebt!
When I read the first half of the heading I thought it was going to be,
“Scott Morrison gobsmacked to learn . . .” he’s not in jail over Robodebt!
I can say no more of this evil man than what Phil Pryor says after the article about Abbott, 9 March 2026!
I have always hated this stupid, arrogant twat but I deeply, deeply despise Scunt now that he’s gotten away with RoboDebt. He is a parasite, a psychopath and a demon who walks the earth.
I note that along with Morrison Hanson thinks we should be involved in this Israeli, US war.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Albanese, the government has taken the radical position that committing Australian lives to a foreign conflict might require, at the very least, a clear national interest, parliamentary debate, and perhaps even public consent
Say what?
Roswell, could you direct me to any evidence that Albanese had explained a clear national interest, had parliamentary debate, and perhaps even sought public consent before sending 87 Australian lives along with a wedgetail AWAK to Dubai, together with 100 Australian lives to the Al Minhad Airbase? because I must have missed it.
https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/map-reveals-australia-defence-presence-in-middle-east-as-iran-war-rages/news-story/cc6018c76033e4af6fd94a274c08e59c
“Iran has launched an attack on an air base in the Middle East where Australian soldiers are stationed, starting a fire that damaged Australian medical and accommodation facilities.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that an Iranian projectile hit a road just outside the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates about 9:15am AEDT today.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-18/al-minhad-air-base-attacked-by-iran-no-australians-hurt/106468378
Well Scotty, I’m gobsmacked that you think your opinion is of any consequence at all.
Actually my son would like to smack you in the gob after what you did to him with robodebt.
When will you be available for him to do that – you useless prick?
Thommo, the key words are “radical” and “might require”.
Radical: Doing things properly would be a radical idea for Morrison. It was tongue in cheek.
Might require: Doesn’t indicate that they’ve actually done it.
People familiar with my work would be aware that I like to add a pinch of satire.
Well frankly I would happily smack Scott Morrison in the gob – repeatedly.
I am gob smacked to learn that both Abbott and Morrison have not come to terms with the fact that The Australian electorate considered their commentary irrelevant – they were both voted out of office because of their universal unpopularity.
Roswell, don’t worry I’m fully aware that you’re writing uses satire and tongue in cheek commentary; to quote Maxwell Smart “aaannd loving it”.
It is a sad indictment on this Labor government that such tongue in cheek commentary has to go revisionist in order to show up Morrison as disingenuous or deluded.
Indictment: a statement that criticizes something strongly as being bad.
Revisionist: person who tries to change existing beliefs of how events happened.
Disingenuous: not speaking the complete truth.
Don’t worry I have a dictionary too.
Thommo, that’s the second time this week you’ve fallen for the tongue in cheek commentary trick (quoting Max again).
Roswell, I could quote Max again, but I’ll go with a Ned quote: “Such is life.”
We might have to use the cone of silence, Thommo. I think there’s a Chaos spy among us.
Two bob’s worth. Morrison, of course, would be gobsmacked, as he’s a bible-thumping ‘bring on the Armageddon’ nutcase with his hand so deeply up America’s arse, reaming and wringing and doing what he always does best, maximizing the return to himself at whatever the cost to others.
In this context, America is the perfect market for his carpet-bagging proclivities, and it would suit the spiel to express astonishment that his former home country is reluctant to jump on the Orange Bloat’s warmongering bandwagon… a viewpoint tailored to the American marketplace with an eye on the potential returns.
What kind of country doesn’t have a War Power Act?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2s8epe4ukQ
Onyer Thommo, thanks for that link.
Thank you all for your wonderful and so deserved comments about the most despicable person we had ever had as a prime minister. A pity we no longer have public stocks for the people to express their displesure with whatever comes to hand, and for passing dogs to cock their hind leg.
Good video, Thommo. 👍
Anytime Canguro; thanks Roswell; I’m still trying to work out what exactly a deputy cowboy would be.
After watching Sen. Penny Wrong ( twice) this week, I’d say we (progressives) HAVE about lowered ourselves to Morrison level.
Roswell, what have you done?
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the ALP fan author of this satirical article – will they still laugh when AUKUS Albo escalates our already real involvement ?
I’m the author. I’m voting in a by election in May.
I didn’t know I was voting Labor. Where do you get your info from? You might need to sack your insider.
What’s a Scott Morrison…oh, wait…it’s a description of the creature that dwells in a cesspit and and creates a horrendous vomit inducing gas everytime it opens it’s anus…mouth.
Never thought that I could feel the same level of contempt for another ex-PM like little Johnny Howard until this bloody grub arrived, and we all know how he engineered that.
Left a stain so indelible upon this nation with that AUKUS shit, which he still makes a living from.
Dare I say that he’s another who will experience Karma in a very unpleasant way.
Well, Morriscum is not alone….
https://theshot.net.au/uncategorized/what-is-an-aussie-fearmonger-doing-at-the-claremont-institute-home-of-trumps-insurrection/