Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

We have more than 2,300 Australian Defence Force personnel deployed around the world and as part of our operations to secure Australia's maritime borders. In Iraq, where they are now, Daesh has lost more than 55 per cent of the territory it once held. Our Special Operations Task Group there continues to support the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service in its efforts to liberate Mosul. Our Air Task Group also continues to make a very significant contribution to the fight against Daesh. The task group at Taji, our training group, has graduated more than 24,000 Iraqi trainees, including 4,000 police trainees. We have recently agreed to increase the Australian Defence Force commitment to Afghanistan by 30 personnel—from around 270 to 300—as part of our current 'train, advise and assist' mission. It is in Australia's national interest to ensure that we do not let Afghanistan become a safe haven for terrorists again. (Time expired)