Calls are echoing for Australia to send a warship to join a security force in the Red Sea to secure international shipping lanes against a rebel blockade. 

The federal government is still mulling a US request to send a ship to the Middle East but has indicated the focus remains on the immediate region. 

Iran-backed Houthi rebels are enforcing a blockade which they say is in support of Palestine. 

A ship should set sail from Australia, Nationals Leader David Littleproud said amid fears the blockade could jack up oil prices as ships reroute. 

“Of course we should,” he said on Wednesday.

“This government is blaming the cost of living crisis on international factors yet when there is an international factor that they can influence by sending a ship and having the free movement of boats … they are refusing.”

Sending the ship would also show Australia wouldn’t stand for people breaking the rules and “make a stance about what is right and what is wrong”, he said. 

US Secretary of Defence Austin Lloyd hosted a virtual meeting that included the Australian Defence Force chief Angus Campbell overnight (AEDT) to brief partners about the security situation. 

He has set up a 10-nation strong coalition under Operation Prosperity Guardian to focus on security in the Red Sea and seek to protect against missiles and drones being launched by the rebels against merchant ships.

Five Australian personnel are already embedded in the Middle East combined maritime forces command centre and Canberra is discussing what other options are on the table to aid the security mission.

Acting opposition leader Sussan Ley questioned why an official response was taking so long.

“Is it because we lack the will or is it because we lack the capability?” she posited.

“Our allies deserve us to be honest, upfront and responsive.”

Due consideration is being given to the request, government ministers say.