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

I thank Senator Fawcett for the question and acknowledge his longstanding interest in all matters defence. The government has decided to commence the preparation and training of an Australian force to contribute to the international Building Partner Capacity mission in Iraq. This decision marks the next phase of Australia's contribution to the international coalition to disrupt, degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL, or Daesh. It builds on the active contributions of our Air Task Group and Special Operations Task Group to international efforts to counter Daesh. This step is being taken following requests for our participation from both the Iraqi and United States governments. Working together, the Iraqi security forces and their coalition partners have stemmed Daesh's onslaught. Now, Iraq's security forces require international training support to conduct effective counteroffensive operations against Daesh and ultimately to take responsibility for their country's security.

The Australian force will be based at Taji, north-west of Baghdad, and the mission is expected to commence in May this year. The government will consider the overall size and nature of Australia's commitment in Iraq in the second half of this year, taking into account the increasing focus of coalition efforts on building the capacity of Iraq's security forces. The government is working with Iraq, with the United States and, I especially remind the Australian Greens, with 60 coalition partners from around the world to help defeat this evil—an evil that has seen people beheaded and people sold into sexual servitude. This is what we are fighting against and I call on all senators to support us. (Time expired)