Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to Senator Coonan, the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Is the minister aware that 14 September this year was the 60th anniversary of the first United Nations peacekeeping mission? Is the minister aware of reports that Australia now ranks 67th in the world in terms of our commitment of troops to UN missions? Can the minister outline how the government can justify committing some 1,575 troops to Iraq among the approximately 160,000 coalition troops there and yet is not willing to commit troops to Darfur, where the presence of professional Australian troops could make a significant difference?