Radio National Breakfast

As the Middle East conflict intensifies, surging fuel prices are pushing Australia's road freight industry to breaking point.
That's according to the country's largest trucking association - which says government intervention is needed to help operators recover costs and prevent further impact on cost of living for households.
GUEST: Warren Clark is the CEO of the National Road Transport Association

For decades, the core defence strategy - of Gulf states - has been to prevent direct involvement in any conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.
But countries like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are now very much in the crossfire, with about 3,000 projectiles directed at Iran's neighbours since the war began.
The US has recently approved a $16.5 billion arms deal for several Gulf states, but will deeper American involvement boost their security - or force a rethink of the alliance?
GUEST: Dania Thafer, Executive Director of the Washington-based Gulf International Forum

The US President has given Iran 48 hours to stop attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as Donald Trump threatens to take out Iran's power pants.
Meanwhile Iran's revolutionary guard says if power plants are targeted, the Strait of Hormuz will be "completely" closed and not reopened until the facilities are rebuilt.  
Guest: Mick Mulroy, Distinguished Military Fellow at the Middle East Institute and a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East. He is also a retired CIA Paramilitary Operations Officer in the Special Activities Center and a United States Marine 
Producer: Grace Stranger

Energy prices have sharply surged on global markets following Israeli strikes on Iran's South Pars gas field - the world's largest natural gas reserve.
Iran has retaliated with strikes targeting major energy infrastructure inside Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the U-A-E.
U-S President Donald Trump says America knew nothing of Israel's attack on South Pars - promising that Israel will launch no more attacks on Iranian oil infrastructure.
Also, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has asked Treasury to model "new levy options" as a means of taxing windfall profits of gas companies, as the government tries to shield Australians from the economic impacts of the conflict.
Fuel prices have risen sharply around the world since Iran began its effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz - a key shipping route for about a fifth of the world's oil.
The federal government yesterday launched a taskforce to manage fuel supply, while the ACCC announced a probe into price gouging.
Meanwhile, strong winds and heavy rain have begun lashing far north Queensland... as severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle made landfall this morning.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned it could be one of the biggest cyclones "in living memory".
And, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burkehave attended Eid Prayers at Lakemba Mosque this morning.
But they were met with boos and demands for them to leave from some attending. 
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The Prime Minister says the US and Israel have "achieved" their goal of diminishing Iran's nuclear program and he can now see an end to the Middle East crisis.
But Anthony Albanese has moved to sure up Australia's fuel supply lines with a new taskforce, as the opposition accuses him of being flat-footed on the issue.
The Friday political panel breaks down what it means.
Guests: Greg Brown, Chief Political Reporter at The Australian / John Kehoe, Economics Editor at The Australian Financial Review / Stephanie Borys, Radio National Breakfast Political Correspondent
Producer: Jason Whittaker