Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I thank Senator Brown for the motion regarding Australia’s commitment to Afghanistan but the government will not be supporting the motion. Senator Brown has proposed that the Senate note that:

(i) Australian Defence Force … personnel have been deployed in Afghanistan since 2001,

Australia first deployed forces in late 2001 and these were subsequently withdrawn in late 2002. During 2003 Australia separately deployed one Australian Defence Force officer in support of the United Nations mission as well as one de-mining expert. It was not until 2005 that a substantial Australian force was redeployed to Afghanistan as part of the United Nations mandated International Security Assistance Force. As such, the motion is misleading as Australian defence personnel have not been continuously deployed in Afghanistan since 2001.

The motion states that the Minister for Defence recently announced a further increase in the number of Australian troops. Senator Faulkner has made no such announcement. In April this year the Prime Minister did announce an increase in Australia’s commitment in Afghanistan to support our two fundamental interests: deny sanctuary to terrorists who have threatened and killed Australian citizens and to support our enduring commitment to the United States under the ANZUS Treaty, which was formally invoked at the time of the September 11 attacks.

I would also note that the speculation referred to in the motion is media speculation. As the Prime Minister noted, Australia has increased its contribution to Afghanistan, not as a blank cheque, but with the explicit objective of training Afghan forces. This is so that responsibility for security in Oruzgan province can in time be handed over to Afghans themselves. The Australian government has no interest in Australian forces being in Afghanistan for a day longer than is necessary.

Lastly, I note that the Senate already has the opportunity to debate Australia’s troop presence in Afghanistan. Senator Faulkner made a statement to parliament on Afghanistan on 12 August. This was to ensure that the Australian parliament and the Australian people are properly informed and are able to make considered judgements about our involvement in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The statement was open to debate and we welcomed the bipartisan support.