Linda Kirk (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Minchin, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Is the minister aware that the leaked memo by former US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld suggested that the US should consider whether to ‘conduct an accelerated draw-down of US bases’? The memo continued:

We have already reduced from 110 to 55 bases. Plan to get down to 10 to 15 bases by April 2007, and to 5 bases by July 2007.

Given the minister’s comments yesterday that ‘we keep our position under review’ and that ‘we are working with our coalition partners to ensure that our contribution is the most appropriate’, can he indicate whether Australia has discussed with the US plans to reduce the number of US troops in Iraq next year? What impact will an accelerated draw-down of US troops have on Australia’s ongoing commitment to Iraq?