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

The main role for Defence is of course conducting counterterrorism operations offshore. The ADF continues to make very significant contributions to countering terrorism in the Middle East and in Afghanistan. Following the liberation of Mosul last month, the ADF continues to conduct operations in Iraq to defeat Daesh, which has now lost more than 70 per cent of the territory it once held. The move to liberate Talifah is expected by September as planning is completed.

Australia remains strongly committed to the coalition and will continue to support Iraq and its security forces to ensure this brutal terrorist organisation is defeated and not able to spread its toxic ideology. In Afghanistan, the ADF continues to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces in their fight against the Taliban. It is in our long-term interests as a nation to ensure that terrorism is defeated at its source and safe havens are denied.