Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Defence personnel from both Australia and the United States continue to work together side-by-side around the world, as we have now for over 100 years, to pursue our shared values and also our shared interests.

In the Middle East, the ADF are working alongside their US counterparts to provide security and stability for the people of Iraq and also Afghanistan. Having recently visited the region, I can confirm that our people are doing work with our partners in the US to make a real difference to the lives of many hundreds of thousands of people in the Middle East.

Today, Australia farewells our next deployment of 270 ADF personnel to the Middle East, to Afghanistan. This deployment represents Australia's commitment to stability in the Middle East and our commitment to working with the United States for global peace and security.