Anthony Albanese government minister Don Farrell makes shock call about what country is really Australia’s closest ally – and it’s NOT the United States

A senior minister in Anthony Albanese’s government has been criticized for saying the United States was not Australia’s most trusted security partner.

“I’m not sure the United States is our most reliable ally,” Trade Minister Don Farrell said Monday in response to a question from Liberal Senator Claire Chandler.

“I would have said our closest international ally is New Zealand,” he said of the government’s decision to restore funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Gaza , although US President Joe Biden has not done so.

When Mr Farrell’s response drew laughter from Liberal and Nationals senators, he added: “We are very close to the United States. I freely admit it.

Liberal senator Simon Birmingham said: “It is unimaginable that a minister in the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and Trade would be so keen to denounce Australia’s partnership with the United States.”

Mr Birmingham, the opposition foreign affairs spokesman, noted that Mr Albanese had described the United States as Australia’s “closest ally” and “major strategic partner”.

“Senator Farrell’s statement is something I would expect from the Greens rather than a senior government minister,” he said.

“As much as we love our Kiwi cousins, it is the United States that we ask to share with us their most sensitive defense technologies.

“Senator Farrell should set the record straight and apologize to the United States for his erroneous and disturbing remarks.”

Mr Farrell appeared stung by the ferocity of the response to his statement and later issued a statement saying Mr Birmingham was “simply playing juvenile political games”.

“Everyone knows Kiwis are family,” he said.

“Everyone also knows that (the) United States is our closest ally, our trusted strategic partner, and our largest bilateral investment partner.”

But Mr Birmingham continued his attack on Tuesday morning, telling ABC radio he was surprised Mr Farrell “wanted to rush in so quickly when a phrase was used (by the opposition) that the US were our most reliable ally, to try to speak.” that down.”

He said that under the Five Eyes (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States) agreement, the United States shares its most sensitive intelligence with Australia.

“As part of the AUKUS partnership, we expect the United States to share its most sensitive defense assets with us.”

Mr Birmingham said Australia placed “great trust” in the United States and hoped it would trust it in return.

“I would have thought it was clear that the United States is our most reliable partner, because that is the relationship we expect for our defense and security interests,” he said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Farrell for further comment.