John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hutchins for his question. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and I have just announced the new arrangements for the international mission in Oruzgan province. The Australian government welcomes the decision by NATO to establish a new multinational command structure for Oruzgan province to replace the Netherlands contribution from 1 August this year. These new arrangements will see the United States lead a multinational combined team Oruzgan under an ISAF flag. This approach will serve our interests well and will also provide a strategy that will allow us to continue to build on progress that we have made in Oruzgan.

We are pleased to announce that Australia will make a significant contribution to the integrated civilian and military provincial reconstruction team. This will include having an Australian civilian lead the provincial reconstruction team. Our mission in Oruzgan remains focused on training the Afghan National Army 4th Brigade so it is able to assume responsibility for security in Oruzgan province. I am very confident that NATO has found a solution that supports both Australia’s interests and also the interests of Afghanistan and its people.