SYDNEY, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Trade Minister Don Farrell is "not sure" if the United States is Australia's most trusted ally, suggesting New Zealand might hold that position instead, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.

Farrell, who was filling in for Foreign Minister Penny Wong during Senate Question Time on Monday, made the comments after being questioned by an opposition senator about why the Australian government had not acted in line with the United States on the issue of restoring funding to the main aid agency in Gaza.

On Friday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government resumed its additional funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), following similar moves by Canada and the European Union. However, the United States continued to withhold its contribution.

"Why is the Albanese Labor government acting in opposition to the United States -- our most trusted international partner -- who awaits the outcomes of the investigation into UNRWA and in the interim is pursuing alternate means of delivering more humanitarian assistance?" Claire Chandler, a senator from the Liberal Party of Australia, was quoted as asking.

When answering, Farrell said he took issue with the first statement in Chandler's question.

"I'm not sure the United States is our most trusted ally," Farrell said. "I would have said our closest international ally is New Zealand."

"But we are very close to the United States, I freely concede that," he added. Enditem

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