Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Today in question time the foreign minister claimed that I was 'attacking government policy on the fight against terrorism'. Mr Deputy Speaker, that is false. I, and Labor, have provided bipartisan support for Australia's intervention in Iraq against Daesh. Secondly, the Minister for Foreign Affairs claimed that I have said, 'I want Australia's defence forces to cease the airstrikes against Daesh.' Mr Deputy Speaker, that is also false. I support, and Labor supports, the current mission against Daesh in Iraq. Thirdly, the Minister for Foreign Affairs claimed that I had said, 'Syria is about the same size as Australia.' Mr Deputy Speaker, it is. The population of Australia is about 24 million. The population of Syria is about 22 million. Lastly, the Minister for Foreign Affairs also said that I want our fighter jets to drop food hampers over Syria—'a terrorist picnic'. What I have said is: around 11½ million people, just under half the Syrian population, have been forced to flee their homes, including millions of women and children. Australia can, and should, be doing more to help victims of Daesh in Syria and in neighbouring countries, such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. To say that this is calling for food drops to Daesh is a pathetic lie.

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