Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I will provide as much information as I can to the senator in response to her question. I understand the Minister for Defence has made some public comments today on the matter, but at this stage I have not seen those. It is the case that this was an operational decision taken by ISAF commanders. As I understand it, those commanders continually conduct threat assessments to seek to adapt to the current operating environment. I am advised that recent events outside of and inside Afghanistan related to the Innocence of Muslims video, plus the conduct of recent insider attacks, has given cause for ISAF troops to exercise increased vigilance and carefully review all activities and interactions with the local population. The Commander of ISAF, General Allen, has directed all operational commanders to review force protection and tactical activities in the light of those circumstances.

As ISAF has said, these are prudent but temporary measures to reduce their profile and vulnerability to civil disturbance or insider attacks. It means that, in some local incidences, operational tempo has been reduced or force protection has been increased. As I said, the tension in the community, they think, has risen and they have taken prudent measures, as they have at other times when they thought there was higher tension in the local community. I am advised that ISAF will remain focused on the continued conduct of effective combined operations with our Afghan partners to achieve the mission. They will always be conducted in a manner that seeks to mitigate the risks.

As to any other information Minister Smith can provide, I am happy to take that on notice for the senator.