David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Johnston. Can the minister update the Senate on Australia's contribution to the international effort to disrupt and degrade the operations of Daesh, also known as ISIL, in Iraq? What work has been undertaken by the Australian Defence Force to assist the Iraqi government and the coalition of 60 other nations involved in this effort?

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Fawcett for that question and to his reference to Daesh, which is the Gulf States' term for this terrorist group. The Australian Defence Force's contribution consists of up to 600 personnel including our Air Task Group and a Special Operations Task Group. As the VCDF, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs has said, the Air Task Group in Iraq is one of the most capable air packages Australia has ever deployed. It is also the first completely self-contained air task group we have ever deployed and it is integrating seamlessly into the US led coalition.

As of today our Super Hornets have flown 33 missions, each consisting of two aircraft clocking up a total of around 500 hours. Our KC-30A air-to-air refueller has flown 24 missions delivering fuel to Australian and coalition aircraft. These missions have been supported by our Wedgetail early warning command and control aircraft, which plays a vital role coordinating all coalition aircraft. It has conducted 19 missions, accruing 230 flying hours. The CDF has been providing a number of operational updates and has been sensible and judicious with this information to protect our people, but has advised the coalition has the strategic momentum. The adverse effects of air strikes on ISIL are numerous. Apart from degrading ISIL's capabilities, they are affecting their access to revenue, their ability to move freely and resupply their people. Air strikes by the coalition are also having a broader impact on morale and confidence and the notion that ISIL or Daesh is invincible. These air strikes are continuing to make an impact. I want to pause to congratulate our Defence personnel on their superb efforts inside Iraq. I congratulate them.

Honourable senators: Hear! Hear!

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister update the Senate on the status of our special forces who are deployed to the Middle East?

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 18 and 19 October, my friend and colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop travelled to Iraq and finalised the legal arrangements for the deployment of Australian special forces to advise and assist the Iraqi security forces. Defence is now working closely with DFAT and other government agencies to meet the administrative requirements and the mechanics to implement the legal arrangements that have been negotiated. Once these are in place, they will pave the way for the deployment of our special forces. The Australian Defence Force takes force protection issues extremely seriously and is developing appropriate measures to mitigate the risks to its operations and the deployment of our people into Iraq. Our special forces are currently positioned in Australia's main base in the Middle East and are ready to assist the Iraqi security forces to prepare and plan for operations. We want to ensure this is done properly. We do not want to cut corners; and here we are focused on the detail and the prudence going forward.

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister outline to the Senate the nature of the broad coalition of nations which are providing political, economic, humanitarian or military support?

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to acknowledge once again the bipartisan support we have had from the Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten and the Australian Labor Party on this important issue of national security which, of course, is above politics. As we all know, Australia is contributing to degrading and disrupting this terrorist organisation and is one among many. In June Iraq's then foreign minister wrote to the UN Security Council, asking member states to assist with combating ISIL. There are now some 60 nations that make up a coalition of nations, including nations in the Middle East and the Gulf States. Nations contributing to air strikes alongside Australia in Iraq include: the United States—obviously—the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Other nations are participating in air strikes in Syria. The coalition of nations are all in Iraq at the invitation and request of the Iraqi government, and it is the Iraqi government that is coordinating these operations.