Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

As the honourable senator knows, from time to time the Defence minister makes a statement to the parliament indicating where we are at at any particular stage in any particular situation. To broadcast beforehand that we as a parliament might decide that we will send more planes, more support, to get onto this particular target, can I simply say, that sort of advance warning and notice to the enemy might not necessarily be the smartest or most strategic move. Therefore, I cannot guarantee to the senator that we will be seeking the parliament's approval for the nature and scope of every particular manoeuvre that may or may not be engaged in. The task is to get rid of this evil, and it just beggars belief that the Australian Greens will not— (Time expired)