Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the minister. He made a point about the Japanese having mentioned the transition to the new ministry—I surmise, the interior minister for defence—which, I understand, has recently been appointed after a gap of several months following the election in Iraq. In that context, has the Australian government voiced its concerns regarding reports that militia connected in particular with the minister for the interior may have been involved in—and it would be naive to assume that they do not continue to be involved in—sectarian violence? To what extent is that a concern of the Australian government? It is at least perceived that militia connected with the government have been involved in sectarian violence. Insofar as it seems that this new role would be a security overwatch role more closely connected with the Iraqi security forces, to what extent should we question at least in part the connection of the Iraqi security forces with elements involved in sectarian violence? To what extent would that make Australian troops subject to retaliation? What precautions will be taken to protect our troops in the event that they are the focus of attacks by elements within the Iraqi population—namely, those more aligned to the Sunni elements?

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