19 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

The poster referred to those convicts who recreived a ticket of leave, where they were given the choice of a ticket back home, or free land. I doubt the free land was legally purchase for settling on. Once settled, these people faced continued discrimination from the settlers who hadn't committed crimes to get there. The so-called exclusives would still call them convicts. Once settled in Australia, its reasonable to call them Australian. We called Americans Americans long before independance.

Where did he mention of leave?

On 3/27/2026 at 2:35 PM, webfact said:

Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, has told Israel that Canberra supports Lebanon’s sovereignty and opposes any occupation of territory in the country’s south.

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Wong delivered the message in a conversation with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar after Israel signalled it could create a “defensive buffer” in southern Lebanon to counter the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

Australia warns against occupation

The remarks came as regional tensions remained high, with Israel continuing military operations linked to the wider conflict involving Iran.

Wong said Australia was deeply concerned about the spread of violence in Lebanon and the humanitarian impact on civilians.

“Australia is gravely concerned at the expansion of the conflict in Lebanon, the loss of life and displacement of more than one million civilians,” she said.

She also stressed that Australia did not support Israeli control of Lebanese territory.

“Australia supports Lebanon’s sovereignty – so we do not want to see occupation of southern Lebanon by Israel,” Wong said.

Israel stresses security concerns

Sa’ar said he had outlined Israel’s security concerns during the conversation, pointing to ongoing attacks launched from Lebanon.

He said Israel faced large-scale missile, rocket and drone strikes against communities in its north.

According to Sa’ar, Israel was acting to defend its population and restore security in areas where residents had been displaced by the fighting.

He also criticised the Lebanese government, saying it had not taken effective action against Hezbollah to stop attacks targeting Israeli civilians.

Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, previously indicated that Israeli forces could maintain control over bridges and a security zone extending to the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometres north of Israel’s border.

Australians urged to leave Lebanon

Wong also renewed warnings for Australians currently in Lebanon.

She urged citizens to leave the country while travel remained possible and safe.

“Please do not wait until it’s too late,” she said.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade estimates about 15,000 Australians are living in Lebanon.

Since the outbreak of the regional war, more than 8,000 Australians and permanent residents have returned home from across the Middle East.

The Australian government recently announced an additional 5 million Australian dollars in humanitarian assistance to support civilians affected by the fighting in Lebanon, particularly women and children.

Wider tensions remain

The discussion between Wong and Sa’ar also touched on several issues straining relations between the two countries.

Among them were statements by Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who has advocated establishing a new border with Lebanon along the Litani River.

Smotrich was sanctioned by Australia last year.

Diplomatic tensions have also persisted after Israel revoked visas for Australian diplomats stationed at Canberra’s mission to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah. The office has remained closed for more than seven months.

Officials from the government of Anthony Albanese continue to press Israel to restore access.

Australia also raised concerns over rising settler violence in the West Bank and recent Israeli measures tightening control over the territory.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 March 2026

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On 3/27/2026 at 2:35 PM, webfact said:

Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, has told Israel that Canberra supports Lebanon’s sovereignty and opposes any occupation of territory in the country’s south.

Get today's headlines by email

Wong delivered the message in a conversation with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar after Israel signalled it could create a “defensive buffer” in southern Lebanon to counter the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

Australia warns against occupation

The remarks came as regional tensions remained high, with Israel continuing military operations linked to the wider conflict involving Iran.

Wong said Australia was deeply concerned about the spread of violence in Lebanon and the humanitarian impact on civilians.

“Australia is gravely concerned at the expansion of the conflict in Lebanon, the loss of life and displacement of more than one million civilians,” she said.

She also stressed that Australia did not support Israeli control of Lebanese territory.

“Australia supports Lebanon’s sovereignty – so we do not want to see occupation of southern Lebanon by Israel,” Wong said.

Israel stresses security concerns

Sa’ar said he had outlined Israel’s security concerns during the conversation, pointing to ongoing attacks launched from Lebanon.

He said Israel faced large-scale missile, rocket and drone strikes against communities in its north.

According to Sa’ar, Israel was acting to defend its population and restore security in areas where residents had been displaced by the fighting.

He also criticised the Lebanese government, saying it had not taken effective action against Hezbollah to stop attacks targeting Israeli civilians.

Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, previously indicated that Israeli forces could maintain control over bridges and a security zone extending to the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometres north of Israel’s border.

Australians urged to leave Lebanon

Wong also renewed warnings for Australians currently in Lebanon.

She urged citizens to leave the country while travel remained possible and safe.

“Please do not wait until it’s too late,” she said.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade estimates about 15,000 Australians are living in Lebanon.

Since the outbreak of the regional war, more than 8,000 Australians and permanent residents have returned home from across the Middle East.

The Australian government recently announced an additional 5 million Australian dollars in humanitarian assistance to support civilians affected by the fighting in Lebanon, particularly women and children.

Wider tensions remain

The discussion between Wong and Sa’ar also touched on several issues straining relations between the two countries.

Among them were statements by Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who has advocated establishing a new border with Lebanon along the Litani River.

Smotrich was sanctioned by Australia last year.

Diplomatic tensions have also persisted after Israel revoked visas for Australian diplomats stationed at Canberra’s mission to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah. The office has remained closed for more than seven months.

Officials from the government of Anthony Albanese continue to press Israel to restore access.

Australia also raised concerns over rising settler violence in the West Bank and recent Israeli measures tightening control over the territory.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 March 2026

View full article

Interesting that she never went to the Mosque that Albo want to, and subsequently got hacked and had to leave. I wonder why that was?

She's got the daily double with Islam, a woman and a homosexual to boot.

Gaza, West Bank, now Lebanon - it seems Israel is determined to gain some more land to satisfy its - what's the word? Ah yes, 'Lebensraum'..

On 3/28/2026 at 6:25 AM, Jim Waldron said:

Those convicts were from England!

Right. They were held in Millbank prison on the north bank of the Thames were the Tate gallery is now. I used to work in offices opposite the Tate. There was an Irish guy, I stress Irish before you have a go at me, who used to delight in winding the Australians up who worked in the office if it made them feel like they were home working so close to the site of Millbank prison.

3 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Gaza, West Bank, now Lebanon - it seems Israel is determined to gain some more land to satisfy its - what's the word? Ah yes, 'Lebensraum'..

Yes next thing the settlers will move in, illegally, then they will need annex even more land as a buffer. Seem familiar, the Donbass.

14 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

She might be a dyke but lately is showing more brains than your comments.

Mate if brains were dynamite there wouldn't be enough to blow her grey off.

Is the Australian government prepared to send troops there to remove Hezbollah, because they are the occupying party in Lebanon. ?

On 3/28/2026 at 2:59 PM, Taboo2 said:

Hmmm, what warnings did the Aussie Convicts give to the Aborigines years ago? Did they compensate them for the extra real estate stolen? No one in Australia can tell Israel anything about occupying land...look in the mirror.

Taboo , you wouldnt have a clue what you are talking about. The aboriginals settlers did not have real estate they were nomads. They followed the seasons and set up their camps usually near a river or in a cave and hunted and killed eveything that moved for food and when that was depleted they burnt that patch out moved on to a new place.They didn't build houses , shops , schools etc. They had no government structure or plots of land. So to say that when white man arrived they should have paid for the real estate is rubbish as there was no such thing. It was the white settlers who established all the infrastructure that we have today not the aboriginals.

7 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Is the Australian government prepared to send troops there to remove Hezbollah, because they are the occupying party in Lebanon. ?

I recent tears tha Australian Government has run the defence budget down that much that it is totally inefective. Trump asked Australia to send a couple of warships th help in the war but the Prime Minister refused and the reason is they have only 4 ships in the fleet that are destroyers but three of them are out of action in the repair shop. Alas , don't worry when the big tough Defence Minister Wrong speaks the whole world listens and shiver in their boots.

On 3/27/2026 at 5:17 AM, Jim Waldron said:

Australia’s warning to Israel underscores what should be obvious: you cannot claim “self‑defence” while invading and occupying another sovereign nation’s territory.

Israel’s stated plan to seize southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, thereby displacing more than a million civilians in the process, is not defensive by any meaningful definition.

This is a flawed opinion for many reasons. Hezbollah are a terrorist organisation illegally occupying swathes of Lebanon; they have two stated aims; the complete destruction of Israel, and the removal of the Lebanese government to be replaced by and Islamic government, modelled on the one of their sponsors, Iran; you failed to mention either of these fundamental points.

From south of the Litani river, Hezbollah are able to hit Israeli territory with rockets, which they have done countless times; consequently there was an agreement for Hezbollah to remain north of the river, and for south of the river to be controlled by the Lebanese government and UN forces.

Hezbollah have continually broken this agreement, causing at one point the complete evacuation of northern Isreal . All of this watched by UN forces who somehow failed to find bunkers and weapons stores which the IDF come across every single time they enter Lebanon. One tunnel they found is a stones throw away from a UN watchtower.

The last thing Israel needed at this time was to have to deal with Hezbollah again; but during the night of 1-2 March, Hezbollah broke a ceasefire that had stood since 27th November 2024. Hezbollah claim to have fired more than 280 rockets at Israel since 2nd March, and with the Lebanese government and the UN forces unable, or unwilling to stop Hezbollah from attacking Israel, the IDF have had to do it themselves; you will no doubt find these facts uncomfortable, but if you knew the history of the Golan Heights, you might have a better understanding of the Israeli action.

8 hours ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

This is a flawed opinion for many reasons. Hezbollah are a terrorist organisation illegally occupying swathes of Lebanon; they have two stated aims; the complete destruction of Israel, and the removal of the Lebanese government to be replaced by and Islamic government, modelled on the one of their sponsors, Iran; you failed to mention either of these fundamental points.

Weren't the Israelis terrorists having taken over another country and kicked out or subjugated those who remained. They waged a terrorist war murdering British soldiers. Didn't they blow a hotel up. It is a bit rich calling other people terrorists. Before my time so not too familiar with that era. Let us all know what went on.

9 hours ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

but if you knew the history of the Golan Heights, you might have a better understanding of the Israeli action.

Oh yes the Golan heights that Israel annexed The trouble with annexation is that you have to keep adding bits. First the Sudetenland the whole of Czechoslovakia, the Poland, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Russia. Once Putin has secured the Donbass he will need another buffer zone. The same with Israel.

4 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

Oh yes the Golan heights that Israel annexed The trouble with annexation is that you have to keep adding bits. First the Sudetenland the whole of Czechoslovakia, the Poland, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Russia. Once Putin has secured the Donbass he will need another buffer zone. The same with Israel.

If attacks would stop coming from Syria , then there would be no need for Israel to venture into Syria

1 hour ago, Geoff914 said:

Weren't the Israelis terrorists having taken over another country and kicked out or subjugated those who remained. They waged a terrorist war murdering British soldiers. Didn't they blow a hotel up. It is a bit rich calling other people terrorists. Before my time so not too familiar with that era. Let us all know what went on.

Well, I’ve seen some desperate justifications of Hezbollah from lefties on this forum before, but you take the biscuit Geoff.

Whataboutery from the Palestine Mandate clashes of 1945-47

…. 80 years ago; have you got anything up your sleeve from the eighteenth century  ?

33 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

Oh yes the Golan heights that Israel annexed The trouble with annexation is that you have to keep adding bits. First the Sudetenland the whole of Czechoslovakia, the Poland, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Russia. Once Putin has secured the Donbass he will need another buffer zone. The same with Israel.

Have you even the most remote idea why Israel needed to take control of the Golan Heights in 1967 ?

As for the rest of your off topic, incoherent rant; it might be time for a nice cup of tea and a lie down.

29 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

If attacks would stop coming from Syria , then there would be no need for Israel to venture into Syria

1966 Israel annexed Syrian territory. Aren't Syria within in their rights to take it back. What about Sinai? At least the Egyptians gave Israel a right bloody nose, 1973 was it?

So Trump is having a go at the rest of the World but for some reason singled out the UK to be mentioned. Now countries that want oil from the Gulf have to clear the Straits of Hormuz themselves. Will Thailand be be deploying the Royal Thai Navy to clear mines to secure Thailand's oil supply?

1 hour ago, Geoff914 said:

So Trump is having a go at the rest of the World but for some reason singled out the UK to be mentioned. Now countries that want oil from the Gulf have to clear the Straits of Hormuz themselves. Will Thailand be be deploying the Royal Thai Navy to clear mines to secure Thailand's oil supply?

Thai ships are being let through toll free.

Of course someone will say this whole war was an act of genius, turning Iran from a wannabe nuclear power to a tollkeeper much like Turkey. The rest of the world will do a deal with Iran; apparently the going rate is a dollar per barrel of oil shipped. Iran will have a new geopolitical tool to project power globally far more than a nuclear missile that barely reaches Nicosia, with a high chance or either falling into the sea, or being a damp squib. 7.3 billion barrels of oil pass through the straits a year, nice little earner for the republic, and that not including the container vessals passing the other way that Oman, which doesn't have much oil, might like a cut of.

Since the US doesn't need Saudi/Emirates oil, the bases are no longer needed. Today the US expressed displeasure at Saudi Arabia signing a defence pact with Ukraine.

Possibly the US-Saudi love in is over. That Saudi investment might not be coming the US way.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on behalf of Donald Trump, expressed regret that the Saudi authorities signed defense agreements with Ukraine without consulting the United States, which had been Saudi Arabia’s main ally. In response, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman noted that the U.S. had failed to fully protect the Kingdom from Iranian strikes, and therefore Saudi Arabia made a decision that could quickly strengthen its defense capabilities. The Crown Prince also stated that his country will continue to be guided by its own national interests when making decisions regarding its defense.

The President's petulant message to former/current allies that they can get their oil could also be seen that the US begged for help to defeat a third rate power, and couldn't get it. How will it perform against China? And under current trade policy, does the US really "need" Taiwan?

6 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

Thai ships are being let through toll free.

The President's petulant message to former/current allies that they can get their oil could also be seen that the US begged for help to defeat a third rate power, and couldn't get it. How will it perform against China? And under current trade policy, does the US really "need" Taiwan?

First point, do the Iranians tell the Thais were the mine fields are?

Second point, yes I wouldn't want to be a Taiwanese right now. But isn't Taiwan the biggest supplier of chips in the World right now? And to avoid sanctions they are setting up manufacturing plants in the US. Seems a bit short sighted to let the PRC control chip manufacture as well as controlling rare earth elements.

Just checked "The largest silicon chip manufacturers in the world include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which is responsible for over 60% of global chip output"

On 3/27/2026 at 5:32 AM, FlorC said:

Commendable that the Australia government "warns" against the occupation ,

but they forgot to mention what they will DO when their warnings are ignored .

Sanctions ? Boycott ?

I was surprised to read that about 15,000 Australians are living in Lebanon.

How bad must it be in Australia to go live in Lebanon ?

I was surprised to read that some people are ignorant of the huge Lebanese diaspora in Australia and the very strong ties they retain with their homeland.

On 3/28/2026 at 3:57 AM, Jack Hammer said:

I hope the government doesn’t open the floodgates and allow Middle Eastern refugees come to Australia like they did in the 1970s. I comprehend their difficulties but, history shows that they bring their troubles/problems from their country to the host country. Why don’t other Arab, Islamic countries take them in as refugees?

With a Lebanese population that's 40% Christian, why do you think your 'solution' would work.

On 3/28/2026 at 4:59 AM, Taboo2 said:

Hmmm, what warnings did the Aussie Convicts give to the Aborigines years ago? Did they compensate them for the extra real estate stolen? No one in Australia can tell Israel anything about occupying land...look in the mirror.

Are you really woke or are you faking it?

23 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

First point, do the Iranians tell the Thais were the mine fields are?

Second point, yes I wouldn't want to be a Taiwanese right now. But isn't Taiwan the biggest supplier of chips in the World right now? And to avoid sanctions they are setting up manufacturing plants in the US. Seems a bit short sighted to let the PRC control chip manufacture as well as controlling rare earth elements.

Just checked "The largest silicon chip manufacturers in the world include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which is responsible for over 60% of global chip output"

To your first point; all friendly shipping is being routed out of the normal shipping channel between Qeshm Island and Larek, rather than the normal route that is south of Larek. The Iranians know where their own mines are

US trade policy is agressive reshoring and reindustrialisation of the American homeland, without much thought of whether that's really possible. My point was facetious. In the last 24 hours, the US has announced that after all, it never needed Persian Gulf oil, so <deleted> them all. Its Gulf allies might be surprised and worried about that, because they have put up with Infidels for 30 years on their lands on the premise that Arab oil was important to America. Apparently it isn't anymore. Hence the Saudi's response to Rubio to basically go and do one, when he moaned they didn't tell him they were signing a defence deal with Ukraine.

While 60% of global chip production comes from Taiwan, the US produces 12% of total chip production. 1 trillion chips are produced each year, so 120 billion chips are made in the US. US demand for chips is about 25% of global production. "All" its got to do is double production at its 78 chip plants, and it can tell the ROTW to sod off. America First means close the borders, essentially get rid of imports for 100% made American goods. Can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.

If America doesn't need anythng from Taiwan, it doesn't need to protect it. Its decided it doesn't need to protect Europe, so I expect they are already making preparations to repatriate all their equipment and people poste haste.

57 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

First point, do the Iranians tell the Thais were the mine fields are?

Have any ships hit mines? Has Iran said it has mined the waterway? Or is it all Hegsethballs?

1 hour ago, Geoff914 said:

Just checked "The largest silicon chip manufacturers in the world include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which is responsible for over 60% of global chip output"

And the far east gets the Helium necessary for chip manufacture from Iran.

28 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Have any ships hit mines? Has Iran said it has mined the waterway? Or is it all Hegsethballs?

And the far east gets the Helium necessary for chip manufacture from Iran.

The UK is sending a mine hunter to the Gulf. Seems a bit of a waste if there are no mines.

Isn't Helium a bi product of the oil industry? Need to check that.

49 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

In the last 24 hours, the US has announced that after all, it never needed Persian Gulf oil, so <deleted> them all.

Doesn't the US get a lot of oil from Canada? So why is the US doing its best to p155 Canada off. Or is it that Canada is next on the list.

6 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

The UK is sending a mine hunter to the Gulf. Seems a bit of a waste if there are no mines.

Isn't Helium a bi product of the oil industry? Need to check that.

From natural gas deposits apparently.

On 3/27/2026 at 1:07 PM, BonnieandClyde said:

Good to see some people in Australia have the backbone to stand up against this genocidal regime.

Back it up with actions - not just more words.

Radical Zionists are responsible for the chaos in the Middle East that is causing economic disruption worldwide.

Indeed, and Spain have some integrity.

Sadly, there are a handful of AN member who support this evil Israeli regime.

28 minutes ago, JimCM said:

Indeed, and Spain have some integrity.

Sadly, there are a handful of AN member who support this evil Israeli regime.

I was told that the Spanish leader is p155ing Trump off. Wont allow US planes to over fly Spain.

2 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

I was told that the Spanish leader is p155ing Trump off. Wont allow US planes to over fly Spain.

We just heard Italy may be doing likewise.

Is Meloni growing cojones?