Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

[by video link] We are seeing a crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, a crisis that is a result of this government doing too little, too late. We've known for a long time the issue that Afghan interpreters have faced, and the threats that they've faced and that their families have faced are real—and this government has sat on its hands and done absolutely nothing. Earlier this year, as far back as January, the government was made aware of the issues facing the Afghan interpreters, and it did nothing. When it closed the embassy in May, all it did was hasten the need to get the Afghan interpreters to safety. Let's remember, these men, predominantly men, put their lives on the line for the Australian Defence Force. They wore our uniforms and they were paid by our government. Yet we see them being left and cast aside as if they amounted to nothing, because the government had a political problem. What we've seen once again is the typical characterisation of this government: let's wait and do something, too little, too late. These people should have been out.

One of my greatest regrets is that the former Minister for Home Affairs is now the Minister for Defence. He never had the decency to meet with Australian Defence Force war veterans who were trying to save the lives of the interpreters who helped save theirs. It is a systemic problem with this government that it is all talk and no action. It is all about spin and marketing. Meanwhile, lives are being put at risk, lives that were used to help save Australian soldiers— (Time expired)

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