Labor just a 'fair-weather friend' to allies after Navy claims capable drone defence

Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie has accused the Albanese government of being a “fair-weather friend” to the US after the Royal Australian Navy claimed to possess the necessary technology to combat Houthi drones. “I think it shows, under this government, we are a fair weather friend,” Mr Hastie told Sky News Australia host Chris Kenny. “Over the last 30 years, we have sent 57 Royal Australian naval vessels to the Middle East or waters around the Middle East to fight against piracy and terror. “This is a government that has made a conscious decision and I admire the Chief of Navy and his courage in speaking up for the navy – he said they could have done it so this was a political decision. “The Albanese government has still not explained why they took the weak decision.”