David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator, for the question. Following my visit to Baghdad, I had the opportunity to meet with Australian Defence Force personnel who have been predployed to our main support base in the Middle East. I had the honour of speaking with many of our outstanding men and women and reiterated to them that their role was to assist and advise the Iraqi forces as part of an international coalition in regaining the security of Iraq. I also reminded our personnel that Australia has foreign fighters on the ground in Iraq fighting alongside and within ISIL. This is not just a threat to Iraq but also a direct security concern to Australia. On behalf of the Australian people, I thanked them for their enduring professionalism and readiness and reminded them all that they have the full support of both the government and the opposition. I thank the opposition for their support in the motion before the chamber earlier today. While in the UAE I also met their national security leadership. (Time expired)