ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I'm very pleased to be here in Brunei on my first official visit, and there's no more important time to engage with our neighbours than the current time. The conflict in the Middle East is a long way away, but it's having an impact particularly in Asia, in our own region, because of the relationship of suppliers that come through the Strait of Hormuz and that disruption that has occurred and the uncertainty that is there with regard to a resolution to this conflict. Australia wants to see a de-escalation.

Brunei Darussalam and Australia are longstanding friends and Comprehensive Partners, and share a commitment to the peace, stability and prosperity of our region.

Our close relationship is grounded in strategic trust, open markets, and rules-based trade, which underpin the prosperity and security of our peoples and region. We reaffirm these shared principles, which are essential at this time.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's a great honour to be here in Brunei, and the first thing that myself and the Foreign Minister have done is to pay respect to the Australian servicemen who landed here on the beach in 1945 as part of the liberation of Borneo and the efforts that Australian servicemen made during World War II. The incredible sacrifice. And we're here paying our respects, as we do.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Well, there is no greater honour than to wear our nation's uniform and serve our country in the Australian Defence Force. And today we're pleased to recommend to Her Excellency the Governor-General a number of senior command changes within the Australian Defence Force. The Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN, will be appointed as Chief of the Defence Force.

The Australian Government is pleased to recommend to Her Excellency, the Governor‑General, a number of senior command changes within the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Subject to the Governor‑General’s consideration and approval, these changes will take effect from July 2026.

The Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN will be appointed as the Chief of the Defence Force.

JAMES GLENDAY, HOST: Now we can bring in the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who joins us now from Canberra. Prime Minister, welcome back to our program.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be with you, James.

GLENDAY: Donald Trump says he is now planning a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. We understand that's meant to take place from midnight our time tonight. Do you wake up in the morning at the moment and pick up your phone and think, goodness me, what is the President up to now?

MATT SHIRVINGTON, HOST: We're being warned this morning that major Asian fuel producers may start prioritising their own domestic markets if this supply crisis continues to worse around the world.

SARAH ABO, HOST: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will embark on his second fuel security mission within a week, as Iran–US peace talks collapse.

KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: And the PM joins us now live from Canberra. PM, good morning to you. Look, first up, the news overnight –

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you.

STEFANOVIC: Do you support the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 14 to 17 April 2026.

The visit is part of the Government’s efforts to work with regional partners to maintain the two-way flow of energy supplies, fertiliser and other critical goods.

In Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister Albanese will have an audience with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to discuss energy, food security, and the flow of essential goods between our countries.

MR LAWRENCE WONG, PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE: Let me extend a very warm welcome to Prime Minister Albanese and your delegation to Singapore. It's very good to see you again, my friend. I would have preferred, of course, for us to meet under more favourable circumstances. Unfortunately, these are difficult times, not just for Australia and Singapore, but for countries everywhere. The conflict in the Middle East is disrupting global supply chains and energy markets. The effects are rippling across the global economy.