Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

There has been much debate on this matter in the other chamber during this week—quite significant debate, and the matter is quite important because there is a difference of opinion between the government and the opposition on this matter. At the time of the Iraq invasion, there was a general understanding about the possibility of possession of weapons of mass destruction that led to the coalition of the willing removing Saddam Hussein and what was thought at that time to be that threat. It is widely acknowledged and accepted that there has been a very difficult period since then in seeking to bring peace, order and good government to the people of Iraq.

Our position on this matter is well known. We believe that the coalition partners have a clear responsibility to the people of Iraq to assist in bringing to them the democratic and peaceful livelihood and society that we believe it is our responsibility to put in place, and that we believe is their right. As Senator Allison would know, we are making a relatively tiny contribution compared to the enormous contribution which the American people are making to that endeavour. They have some 140,000 troops still there. Britain has made a substantial contribution and many other countries are making a contribution to bringing peace, order and good government to the people of Iraq. It is not easy. Only this month we have seen four American soldiers per day killed in the violence that continues, so sadly, in that country.

Our position has been made clear by the Prime Minister. Senator Allison probably heard the Prime Minister on AM this morning making clear what our position is. We do believe that progressively the Iraqi security forces can and will take responsibility for security within Iraq. That has occurred already in two provinces where the Iraqi security forces have taken that responsibility. That will continue to occur progressively. There will be a point at which it will be possible for coalition forces to exit on the basis of Iraqi security forces being able to satisfactorily manage the security situation in that country.

Everybody, obviously, is distressed by the ongoing violence that is occurring in that country. It is our clear view, as enunciated by the Prime Minister and the foreign minister, that absolutely the worst thing we could do at the moment is simply depart from Iraq. It would be a tragic thing to do for the people of Iraq to leave them in that situation. They need us there, and we are prepared to be there to help them at their time of need. I do not think there would be anyone who would say that it was not the correct thing to do to remove one of the great tyrants of the twentieth century from the leadership of that country. There is much more progress being made in terms of returning Iraq to civility, to peace, order and good government, than is ever reported, but good progress is being made. They are gradually restoring all the civil services that go in a normally functioning democracy. So we will continue to participate, albeit in a relatively small fashion, with the coalition of the willing to help the Iraqi people to assist in training the Iraqi security forces to undertake the responsibilities of securing peace, order and good government in their country.