Dutton ‘intentionally lying’ about Australia’s stance on Middle East crisis, Marles says

Opposition leader's claim Labor is at odds with our allies' an attempt to sow division, deputy prime minister says

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The federal government has hit back at Peter Dutton's claims that Australia is at odds with its allies over the conflict in the Middle East, characterising this as an intentional lie" that aims to fuel division.

With more Australians expected to fly out of Lebanon on Sunday as Israel steps up strikes in southern Beirut, the government said it was deeply anxious" about the extraordinary loss of innocent life in Gaza" and the prospect of the conflict spreading.