Australians are paying a high price for US decisions on the Middle East war

The situation is being watched closely.

The topic is government and politics.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says a ceasefire in the Middle East is needed for economic recovery.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is going to Singapore to secure fuel supplies.

Follow our live blog for updates.

Key events are happening now.

We are giving live updates.

Rudi Maxwell is reporting.

Acting Greens leader Mehreen Faruqi says Israel has hit many targets in Lebanon, killing many people.

Faruqi says a ceasefire is not a real ceasefire if bombs keep falling.

Faruqi says this is what happens when Israel and the US act without being stopped.

Faruqi says the government's words mean nothing if they keep trading arms with Israel.

Faruqi says the government should stop pretending to care and admit they support Israel.

Faruqi says Australia should cut ties with the US and Israel.

Maddie Nixon is reporting.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the government has agreed to help companies buy fuel.

Bowen says this help is more important now than it was last week.

Bowen says the price of oil is changing, making it riskier for companies to buy fuel.

Rudi Maxwell is reporting.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says an Australian plane will stay in the Middle East for some time.

Last month, Australia sent a plane to the Persian Gulf to help the United Arab Emirates.

Albanese says the plane will stay in the region for a while.

Albanese says he agreed to extend the plane's stay after a security meeting.

You can read more about the plane and why it was sent to the Middle East.

Maddie Nixon is reporting.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has given an update on fuel supplies.

Here are the latest numbers:

Rudi Maxwell is reporting.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited a refinery in Brisbane before going to Singapore.

Albanese talked about the war in the Middle East at the refinery.

Albanese says the ceasefire is fragile.

Albanese says Australia wants the ceasefire to apply to Lebanon too.

Albanese says many Australians are worried about the war and its effects.

Albanese says yesterday's agreement is important and should be followed.

Albanese says the war will have long-lasting effects.

Rudi Maxwell is reporting.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government has found a way to get more fuel.

Albanese says the government will help companies buy fuel from other countries.

Albanese says this will bring more fuel to Australia and help areas that need it.

The government passed a law last week to help companies buy fuel.

Maddie Nixon is reporting.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Energy Minister Chris Bowen visited a refinery in Brisbane.

The refinery is owned by Ampol and is one of only two left in Australia.

Last month, the energy minister changed the rules to allow refineries to sell lower-quality fuel.

This change will help refineries like the one in Brisbane.

The refinery in Brisbane will produce more fuel because of the changes.

We will bring you more from the prime minister and energy minister soon.

You can read more about the changes to fuel rules.

Maani Truu is reporting.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers will not say if he supports taxing gas companies' big profits.

The government has asked for options to tax gas and coal companies.

Chalmers says there are many views on how to govern gas companies.

Chalmers says the government has already taken steps to get a fair return from resources.

Chalmers says the government will not change its policy on taxing gas companies.

Maddie Nixon is reporting.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese talked to China's Premier Li Qiang on the phone.

Albanese says the talk was positive and constructive.

The Chinese Embassy said the two countries want to increase communication.

The embassy said China wants to work with Australia on clean energy and electric vehicles.

Maani Truu is reporting.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers responded to the situation in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Donald Trump's vision for the US is unpredictable.

Chalmers says the US's decisions have made the global economy unpredictable.

Chalmers says Australians are feeling the effects of the US's decisions.

Chalmers says the government is not getting too excited about the ceasefire.

Chalmers says the ceasefire needs to last and the Strait of Hormuz needs to be open.

Maani Truu is reporting.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the next budget will balance short-term and long-term goals.

Chalmers says the government will not hold back on big reforms because of global uncertainty.

Chalmers says the budget will focus on resilience and reform.

Chalmers says the government has a lot of work to do before the budget is released.

Maani Truu is reporting.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King announced fuel projects.

The projects include a nickel and cobalt mine and a green hydrogen project.

Chalmers says the projects are important for fuel security and cleaner energy.

The projects will get help from the government to get approved and funded.

Rudi Maxwell is reporting.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor defended his record as energy minister.

Taylor says he saved two refineries from closing when he was energy minister.

Taylor says he also made oil companies keep a minimum amount of fuel in stock.

Rudi Maxwell is reporting.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the US is still Australia's most important strategic partner.

Wong says Donald Trump's vision for the US is unpredictable.

Wong says Australia is working with other countries to diversify its relationships.

Maddie Nixon is reporting.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is going to Singapore to secure fuel supplies.

Singapore is Australia's biggest provider of unleaded petrol.

Albanese and Singapore's prime minister signed an agreement to keep fuel flowing.

Rudi Maxwell is reporting.

Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson says Donald Trump's language is inappropriate.

Paterson says the US is Australia's most important military ally.

Rudi Maxwell is reporting.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the ceasefire in the Middle East should apply to Lebanon.

Wong says international humanitarian law is paramount.

Caitlin Rawling is reporting.

The war in the Middle East has been difficult for Australia.

The Albanese government did not criticize the US at first.

You can read more analysis from David Speers.

Rudi Maxwell is reporting.

The government has signed a statement calling for aid workers to be protected in Lebanon.

The statement also calls for an end to hostilities in Lebanon.

Rudi Maxwell is reporting.

Penny Wong says the ceasefire in the Middle East is fragile.

Wong says Australia is working with regional partners to secure fuel supplies.

Wong says there is a challenging road ahead, even if the ceasefire holds.

Wong says the effects of the war are being felt in Australia.

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