Alan Kohler

I know, that's right.

I mean, you talk about the fact that they're spending all this money on infrastructure and that's probably right, although I think the actual public service is in deficit as well.

But most of it's going on infrastructure spending and we still can't get around it.

I mean, they're just trying to keep up with the growth in population, aren't they?

And the feds are in control of immigration, or more, you know, to the extent that anyone controls immigration, it's their problem.

And that's growing, has been growing rapidly.

The states have to keep up with infrastructure.

Jesus, you depress me when I talk to you, Stephen.

We better bring everyone up to date with what's going on in the Persian Gulf, which is that the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced last night that the, what did he call it, the Operation Epic Fury, that is to say the aggressive or the offensive part of the war is over.

He says, we've achieved the objectives of that operation.

And now we're into Operation Project Freedom, which is getting ships through the state of Hormuz.

And at the same time, Iran has announced a new system for traffic through the state of Hormuz, which they've established something called the Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

ships seeking to cross through the Strait will receive an email laying out their transit regulations.

Ships must adhere to the regulations and obtain a transit permit before they cross, according to Iran's state-run English broadcaster.

So they've kind of cemented their control, according to them at least, of the Strait of Hormuz.

So America's now focused on, rather than trying to, you know, defeat Iran anymore, they've stopped that, they're now just focused on trying to offset or counter Iran's new system for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

I mean, I think it's incredible what's going on.

I mean, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

So we've got the budget next week.

I reckon it'll still be closed then.