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

In regard to the first part of the question, I am not aware of any reference to the SAS training in advance of our commitment. I can get Senator Brown further information on that matter. In relation to the second part of the question, I do find that quite extraordinary. We had in Saddam Hussein one of the greatest butchers the world has ever known—a man who committed mass murder on his own people. And Senator Brown comes in here and lectures us about what is going on now. Of course we deplore the violence that is going on in Iraq now. Of course we deplore it—what do you think, Senator Brown! But what we also deplore is what Saddam Hussein did to his own people: he butchered his own people, Senator Brown. We did the right thing in getting rid of him.