Anthony Albanese earns oil-rich Brunei’s support and shares ‘deep concern’ over Iran conflict

The Sultan of Brunei has assured Anthony Albanese his oil-rich nation is not looking to impose any export restrictions on Australia as the Prime Minister tours south-east Asia trying to ensure fuel supplies keep flowing south.

During a meeting at Brunei’s Royal Palace, both leaders expressed “deep concern” over the war in the Middle East and pledged to strengthen energy supply chains and maintain open trade flows.

Following the bilateral talks, the Prime Minister again called for a de-escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran and for a return of both parties to the negotiating table.

“There’s no more important time to engage with our neighbours than the current time,” Mr Albanese told reporters, standing alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

“The conflict in the Middle East is a long way away but it’s having an impact, particularly in Asia, in our own region, because of the relationship of supplies that come through the Strait of Hormuz and that disruption that has occurred.

“Australia wants to see a de–escalation. We want to see talks between the United States and Iran resume and we want to see a resumption of normal economic activity that is so important for the global economy.”

Asked whether his Government would be more willing to join military efforts to protect the Strait of Hormuz that are not led by the United States, the Prime Minister responded that international discussions were taking place.

“We have said that we want the Strait of Hormuz to be open and we’ve been a signatory along with other countries to statements along those lines.

“We want safe passage of trade that is in Australia’s interest, we’re a trading nation, 1 in 4 of our jobs is dependent upon trade.”

Senator Wong noted that Australia had made its position clear in that it supported “freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as do many other countries”.

“And you might recall that I joined a meeting convened by the United Kingdom of some 40-plus countries,” the Foreign Minister said.

“We continue to engage, as the Deputy Prime Minister has made clear, with the United Kingdom, with France, with all countries including the US, in terms of making sure post the conflict, we can see a return to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Earlier in the day, Mr Albanese and Senator Wong toured a fertiliser plant in Brunei which produces nearly 10 per cent of Australia’s urea supplies.

Wearing grey and green safety jackets, the Australian guests were given a tour of the facility by the chief executive of Brunei Fertiliser Industries who explained how ammonia is produced before being converted into fertiliser-grade urea.

Following the tour, the PM was welcomed by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to the Royal Palace, where Mr Albanese remarked to the monarch that the weather was much warmer than in Canberra.

Brunei was dealing with “unpredictable weather”, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah responded and added that it was good to speak with Mr Albanese in person after a phone call between the pair last week.

The Sultan also remarked on the Prime Minister’s busy travel schedule which last week included a visit to Singapore where Mr Albanese also sought assurances on fuel supply.

“Australia has always been a trusted friend and partner. Over the years, our relations have continued to prosper,” Brunei’s Sultan told Mr Albanese during their meeting.

The Prime Minister and the uber-wealthy Sultan discussed the need for more petrol, diesel, oil and fertiliser to be sent to Australia over coming months, during their meeting in an opulent gold-plated room inside the royal palace.

Brunei Darussalam provides 9 per cent of Australia’s annual diesel imports as well as 11 per cent of annual crude oil imports and 11 per cent of annual fertiliser-grade urea imports crucial for agricultural production.

“What’s guaranteed is that they are not looking at imposing export restrictions on Australia,” Mr Albanese later told reporters at the Australian High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan.

“Not only did we speak about... existing supplies coming, we spoke about additional supplies as well,” he said.

When pressed on Brunei’s human rights record, including its Sharia law policy of punishing homosexuality with death by stoning, the PM declared Australia had spoken up on human rights in global forums.

Asked if he’d discussed the issue with the Sultan — who is the world’s longest reigning monarch, having ruled Brunei since 1967 — Mr Albanese responded that the focus of Wednesday’s talks was Australia’s fuel and security needs.

The Prime Minister will end his latest visit to Asia with a stopover in Malaysia for similar petrol and diesel supply talks with his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday.