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

I would like to acknowledge once again the bipartisan support we have had from the Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten and the Australian Labor Party on this important issue of national security which, of course, is above politics. As we all know, Australia is contributing to degrading and disrupting this terrorist organisation and is one among many. In June Iraq's then foreign minister wrote to the UN Security Council, asking member states to assist with combating ISIL. There are now some 60 nations that make up a coalition of nations, including nations in the Middle East and the Gulf States. Nations contributing to air strikes alongside Australia in Iraq include: the United States—obviously—the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Other nations are participating in air strikes in Syria. The coalition of nations are all in Iraq at the invitation and request of the Iraqi government, and it is the Iraqi government that is coordinating these operations.