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

by leave—I speak today to update the parliament and the Australian people about Australia's missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since my last statement in December 2013 there have been significant developments in Australia's mission in Afghanistan and this year has seen the commencement of the ADF mission in Iraq. There have been significant developments in Australia's mission in Afghanistan, including the completion of our mission in Uruzgan province and the historic transition of power to the national unity government of President Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah.

I most recently visited Afghanistan in September of this year. My visit gave me the opportunity to see the progress being made. I also saw firsthand the work being carried out by our military and civilian personnel to support Afghanistan to ensure that its security, freedom and economy continue to develop. I met with senior Australian, ISAF and Afghan commanders and had an opportunity to address Australian troops serving in national and coalition appointments in Kabul.

After 13 years the largest military coalition in recent history, the ISAF mission, will conclude at the end of 2014 as planned. Our Afghan partner, the Afghan National Security Force, has grown in confidence and capability and is now in the lead for combat operations throughout Afghanistan. Challenges remain, but the ANSF continues to demonstrate its ability to plan and conduct independent and combined operations to protect the Afghan people.

Sadly, Australia lost another soldier this year, Lance Corporal Todd Chidgey, in a non-combat related incident in Afghanistan. Our mission in Afghanistan has come at a heavy cost, with the loss of 41 Australian Defence Force personnel and another 261 wounded. Our thoughts are with Lance Corporal Chidgey's family. They are not alone in their sorrow.

As the ISAF chapter closes, I think the ADF can look back with honour and pride in what it has achieved in Afghanistan. I am confident that we will continue with the same professionalism and dedication post-2014. It remains the Australian government's strong view that it is in Australia's interest to remain engaged in Afghanistan as part of this overall effort. Australia is committed to supporting security and stability in Afghanistan beyond 2014 through cooperation in security, diplomatic and development channels, and continuing to build the capacity of Afghanistan's national institutions.

In addition, our aid program will continue to build on and protect the gains of the last decade, supporting economic growth and governance, the empowerment of Afghan women and girls in particular, and at-risk populations. This has been quite remarkable. Australia has pledged to contribute to the post-2014 NATO-led train, advise and assist mission and our current contributions provide a good foundation for Australia's post-2014 commitment to Afghanistan.

The end of 2014 will also mark the conclusion of Operation Slipper, Australia's military contribution to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and the International Coalition Against Terrorism mission across Afghanistan and the Middle East which commenced in October 2001. Since Australia commenced operations in the region, more than 33,000 Australian Defence Force personnel, Australian government civilians and Australian Federal Police have deployed to the Middle East area of operations.

On 1 March 2014, Prime Minister Abbott announced that Australia will have an Anzac Day style national commemoration for the war in Afghanistan to ensure that the bitter experience of returning Vietnam veterans is not repeated for those who have served in Australia's longest war. It is important for the Australian people to have the opportunity during a nationwide commemoration activity to say thank you to the men and women who have served in the Middle East region. This activity will be held in each state and territory capital city and Townsville on Saturday, 21 March 2015.

The national commemoration for the completion of Operation Slipper will recognise the commitment and sacrifice of all Australian personnel who have deployed as part of Australia's commitment to combat terrorism across Afghanistan and the Middle East. Operation Slipper has involved civilian and military members from the Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other government agencies.

I also wish to update the parliament on the commencement of the ADF mission in Iraq, to assist the Iraqi government and the people of Iraq to combat the major threat posed by the brutal actions of ISIL, also known as Daesh. This is not a decision the government has taken lightly. Ultimately it is Iraq that must defeat ISIL, but it cannot be left to confront this horrendous movement alone.

Australia is reluctant to reach out to conflicts thousands of miles away, but this conflict has reached out to us. At least 70 Australians are fighting with ISIL and other terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria, and another 100 or so supporting these extremists from inside Australia. This situation is as much a matter of domestic security as it is of international security. This trade is contribution is part of a broader coalition of over 60 nations that are operating in close collaboration with Iraq. This action has the support of regional nations across the Middle East and the wider international community.

The government's decision has the support of the Prime Minister of Iraq, Dr Haider Al-Abadi, and responds to a formal request from the US Government to contribute specific ADF capabilities to the international coalition. Australia's contribution to the broad international coalition in Iraq includes: up to eight FA18 Super Hornet combat aircraft; one E7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft; one KC130A tanker and transport air-to-air refuelling aircraft; up to 400 personnel required to operate and sustain these capabilities; and a Special Operations Task Group of approximately 200 personnel to act as military advisers to the Iraqi Security Forces.

During my September visit to the Middle East, I was lucky enough to meet many talented and dedicated members of the deployed Australian Air Task Group and Special Operations Task Group and was impressed by the extreme skill and professionalism of these Australian Defence Force personnel. I was pleased to learn that 51 women have been deployed as part of our Air Task Group in a range of operational and support areas, including as watch keepers, air operations coordinators, intelligence analysts and legal and public affairs officers.

As of 24 November 2014, our FA18 Super Hornets had flown 64 missions in Iraq, each with two aircraft. The KC30A aircraft had flown 51 missions in Iraq, providing air-to-air refuelling support for Australian planes and other coalition aircraft. The E7A Wedgetail aircraft had flown 35 missions in Iraq, providing command and control and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to coalition forces. On several occasions, Royal Australian Air Force personnel have taken the lead in planning and coordinating multinational air operations against ISIL targets in Iraq and achieved considerable success.

In recent weeks an Australian FA18 Super Hornet identified a large, well-establish and hidden network of caves and bunkers occupied by ISIL in northern Iraq. Within days a subsequent multinational airstrike involving 20 aircraft attacked 44 targets, complimented by a large-scale ground operation led by the Kurdish Security Forces, and as such helped to clear this area of ISIL militants, with some reports indicating that over 100 Daesh fighters were killed.

Coalition air operations are providing vital support to the Iraqi Security Forces' military campaign on the ground. This support has helped the Iraqi forces reclaim territory and key elements of national infrastructure previously held by ISIL, including the Bayji oil refinery in the country's north and the Fallujah dam, which provides critical water supplies across almost the whole of central Iraq. Crucially, our operations are providing time and space for Prime Minister Abadi to build an inclusive government and to regenerate the Iraqi Security Forces.

The ADF mission in Iraq began with a clear humanitarian focus, and the plight of innocent civilians in Iraq remains central to all of our operations there. The ADF has conducted six humanitarian airdrop missions in northern Iraq to date to ease the terrible humanitarian situation imposed by ISIL forces on Iraqi civilians in the regions of Mount Sinjar and Amirli. The ADF has also conducted five military store supply missions to date, including arms and ammunition, as part of multinational efforts to equip the Kurdistan regional government to roll back ISIL. These stores are being used by Kurdish Peshmerga forces, which are operating in close conjunction with the Iraqi government security forces. Australia's objective in providing this support is to work with the Iraqi government to ensure it is able to keep its people safe, maintain reasonable control over its territory, and combat ISIL, or Daesh.

Australia stands firm as a responsible international partner who responds swiftly and effective to global security challenges. Our commitment to the mission in Afghanistan and our steadfast support for the international efforts against ISIL in Iraq signify Australia's firm intentions to deny terrorists safe havens to plan and train for attacks against civilians. We are not in this alone. In both Afghanistan and Iraq, Australia is a leading member of multinational coalitions who are working in close partnership with the host nations to defeat our mutual enemies.

It is important to remember that both these missions involve risk to our ADF personnel. As they conduct these essential missions, our thoughts are with them, particularly at this time of the year. They are doing a simply wonderful job.

I table the statement and seek leave to incorporate the statement in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The statement read as follows—

Introduction

I speak today to update the Parliament and the Australian people about Australia's missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is appropriate that the Government provides regular reports and updates on Australia's major military operations.

Since my last statement on 11 December 2013, there have been significant developments in Australia's mission in Afghanistan, including the completion of our mission in Uruzgan and the historic transition of power to the National Unity Government of President Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah.

Sadly, Australia also lost another soldier, Lance Corporal Todd Chidgey, in a non-combat related incident in Afghanistan. Our mission in Afghanistan has come at a heavy cost with the loss of 41 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and another 261 wounded. Our thoughts are with Lance Corporal Chidgey's family. They are not alone in their sorrow.

Today I will provide an update on the forthcoming completion of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan and transition of full security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

I will also confirm Australia's continued commitment to Afghanistan beyond 2014 through our participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) 'train, advise and assist' mission, Resolute Support Mission, and our financial support to the sustainment of the ANSF.

In relation to Iraq, in June this year the then Government of Iraq sought international assistance to combat the threat of ISIL.

Australia's response was swift and decisive.

We contributed immediately to provide humanitarian relief supplies to the people of northern Iraq, and helped transport urgently needed arms and equipment to the Kurdish Peshmerga fighting ISIL. At the request of the United States Government, and with the support of the Government of Iraq, we have since become a participant in coalition combat air operations and have deployed a Special Operations Task Group to advise and assist the Iraqi Security Forces.

I will update the Parliament on Australia's deployments to Iraq, and the results that we are seeing from the efforts of the broader US-led coalition mission to degrade, and ultimately destroy ISIL.

Afghanistan

I most recently visited Afghanistan in September this year. My visit gave me the opportunity to see the progress being made, and I also saw first hand the work being carried out by our military and civilian personnel to support Afghanistan to ensure that its security, freedom and economy continue to develop.

I met with senior Australian, ISAF and Afghan commanders, and had an opportunity to address Australian troops serving in national and coalition appointments in Kabul. I received an update on the situation in the southern provinces of Afghanistan, and met with, and addressed, members of the ADF contingent serving in Kandahar.

Australia ' s 2014 Contribution

The Australian military and civilian contribution in Afghanistan is focused on the development of the ANSF through a regionally and nationally oriented training and advisory support mission as well as critical support areas such as force protection, advising, medical, and intelligence. In total, around 400 ADF personnel continue in these important roles.

These important roles include Australian advisers, support staff and force protection personnel assigned to the UK-led Afghan National Army (ANA) Officer Academy in Kabul.

Mentoring teams at the Academy, including Australian personnel and our British and New Zealand partners are providing training to help develop professional ANA officers; the future leaders of the ANA. The first group of officers graduated from the ANA Officer Academy in September this year. Significantly, Afghan women are also playing an increasing role in the ANSF with the first intake of women at the ANA Officer Academy occurring in February 2014.

The team also assists the development of Afghan instructors who deliver training to ANA officer cadets. Female staff are also receiving instructor training with their male colleagues, and are mentored by a coalition female mentoring team.

Australia also continues to lead the ANA 205 Corps Coalition Advisory Team in Kandahar. The advising team provides advice to the ANA 205 Corps senior leadership to support its independent operations across the south of Afghanistan, including Helmand and Uruzgan. The team operates from its headquarters at Camp Baker at Kandahar Airfield and provides advice and assistance to the ANA 205 Hero Corps' headquarters staff and senior officers.

Australia also has a small number of Special Forces personnel working with the ISAF Special Operations Advisory Group to train, advise and assist ANSF personnel in the Headquarters General Command of Police Special Units in Kabul.

Throughout 2014 Australia also maintained its cadre of embedded military and civilian personnel at ISAF Headquarters, ISAF Joint Command and Train Advise Assist Command – South, previously known as Regional Command – South, a commitment that is valuable to, and praised by, the United States and other coalition partners.

Through these embed roles, our Australian embedded personnel have provided critical specialist advice and leadership in support of ISAF operations.

In 2014, Australia also concluded its contribution of valued health specialists to the Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit in Kandahar which included general and orthopaedic surgeons, and critical intensive and emergency care staff such as nurses and anaesthetists.

The Logistics Training and Advisory Team in Kabul provided invaluable logistics training and support with its mission concluding on 19 July 2014.

In addition, the Royal Australian Air Force Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft deployment was extended until 31 December 2014 to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to enhance security in southern Afghanistan and support the Afghan Presidential election rounds.

Heron aircraft have completed more than 27,000 flying hours providing high resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to Australian forces and our International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) partners in southern Afghanistan since August 2009.

Today, I announce that Operation SLIPPER's 15th and final Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) rotation flew its last mission in Afghanistan from Kandahar Air Field on 30 November 2014.

Approximately 490 Air Force, Navy and Army personnel deployed with the Heron detachment during its 15 rotations.

Following the conclusion of Australia's mission in Uruzgan in December 2013, the Heron mission was extended to support ISAF members in Regional Command – South, including support to the 2014 Afghan presidential election.

All Heron detachment personnel will return to Australia by the end of December 2014.

Australia also continued its strong financial support through our contribution to the ANA Trust Fund, to assist develop the capacity and capability of the ANSF.

Australia's contribution to the ANA Trust Fund for 2010-2014 involved a total of US$200 million to help deliver an enabled, independent and self-sufficient ANA capable of providing security for the Afghan people.

To date Australia's contribution has supported projects including command and control capabilities, information technology infrastructure, building 4th Brigade barracks in Uruzgan, and operations and maintenance projects.

Australia also provides two ADF officers in military liaison roles as part of the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). They are located in UN Regional Offices in Kabul and Kandahar, as part of the UNAMA Military Advisor Unit, and maintain contact and liaison with all military forces throughout Afghanistan on behalf of UNAMA.

Our men and women across these complex and diverse roles continue to risk their lives to participate in this vital mission to build the capacity and capability of the ANSF to take full security responsibility for their country.

In February 2014, I had the pleasure of hosting Afghanistan's Minister of Defense, His Excellency Bismullah Khan Mohammadi.

This was an opportunity to discuss Australia's commitment to Afghanistan, regional Defence engagement, and the importance of cooperation between defence forces on shared challenges, such as disaster response and international terrorism.

Minister Mohammadi paid tribute to Australia's support and to our sacrifice in helping Afghanistan take responsibility for its own security.

During his visit, Minister Mohammadi also had the opportunity to see first hand some of the training that Special Forces undergo at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney, as well as officer training at Australia's Royal Military College Duntroon.

Minister Mohammadi attended the Victoria Cross Investiture Ceremony for Corporal Cameron Baird at Government House, paying tribute to Australia's sacrifice and ongoing support to his nation.

Conclusion of the ISAF Mission

After 13 years, the largest military coalition in recent history, the ISAF mission, will conclude at the end of 2014 as planned.

Our Afghan partner, the ANSF, has grown in confidence and capability and is now in the lead for combat operations throughout the country.

Challenges remain but the ANSF continues to demonstrate its ability to plan and conduct independent and combined operations to protect the Afghan people.

The ANSF secured two rounds of national Presidential elections and prevented insurgents from disrupting voters' participation in this historic democratic transfer of power.

Once again I would like to congratulate the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan and the Afghan National Security Forces on the first ever democratic transfer of power following a momentous election and the formation of President Ghani's National Unity Government.

The Afghan people showed immense courage in defiance of those seeking to disrupt Afghanistan's future through violence.

When ISAF operations end, the Afghan authorities will assume full responsibility for security but the international community will remain in support of Afghanistan.

As the ISAF chapter closes, I think the ADF can look back with honour and pride in what it has achieved in Afghanistan and I am confident that we will continue with the same professionalism and dedication post-2014.

Australia ' s Commitment post-2014

At the NATO Wales Summit in September this year, the international community reconfirmed its support for Afghanistan beyond 2014 and its determination to ensure that we are never again threatened by terrorists from within Afghanistan

It remains the Australian Government's strong view that it is in Australia's interest to remain engaged in Afghanistan as part of this effort.

Australia is committed to supporting security and stability in Afghanistan beyond 2014 through cooperation in security, diplomatic and development channels, and continuing to build the capacity of Afghanistan's national institutions.

In addition, our aid program will continue to build on and protect the gains of the last decade, supporting economic growth and governance, the empowerment of Afghan women and girls, and at-risk populations.

We have consistently and publicly pledged to contribute to the post-2014 NATO-led 'train, advise, assist' mission pending appropriate legal arrangements.

Australia, along with the United States and our NATO partners, welcomed the swift signature by the Ghani Administration of the Bilateral Security Agreement with the United States and the NATO Status of Forces Agreement.

Australia also welcomes the recent ratification of both agreements by Afghanistan's Parliament. These agreements provide the legal framework for the post-2014 mission, including for operational partners such as Australia.

To consolidate and build on the security gains of the last 13 years, the ANSF and security ministries will still need continued training, advising and assisting particularly in key areas such as institutional development, aviation, special operations and intelligence. International assistance in financially sustaining its forces and operations will also be critical.

Partner nations, including Australia, stand ready to continue to train, advise, and assist our Afghan partners after 2014 through the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission.

This mission will not be a combat mission. It will be different from ISAF and significantly smaller.

Resolute Support Mission ' s focus will be to train, advise and assist the ANSF and the supporting Ministries at the ministerial, institutional and operational levels across Afghanistan.

Australia has pledged to contribute to the post-2014 NATO-led 'train, advise, assist' mission and our current contribution provides a good foundation for Australia's post-2014 commitment.

ANSF Sustainment

Financial support from the international community to assist Afghanistan with sustainment of its security forces is essential to Afghanistan's stability and security.

At the September NATO Summit in Wales, the international community reaffirmed its 2012 Chicago Summit commitment to contribute to the financial sustainment of the ANSF from 2015 to 2017 and urged the wider international community to remain engaged in the financial sustainment of the ANSF.

This included a commitment to maintain and strengthen transparent, accountable and cost-effective funding mechanisms.

The funding will be directed towards the requirements of the ANSF such as training requirements, military education, and required infrastructure and equipment sustainment.

Australia is a leading contributor to this important endeavour and has committed to provide US$100 million each year for three years from 2015 as part of the international contribution to help sustain and support the ANSF.

This will include US$80 million from Defence each year through the ANA Trust Fund. The remaining US$20 million each year will be from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

This significant financial commitment has enabled Australia to take on a leadership role within the international donor community.

We will continue this role in 2015 through our participation in the Oversight and Coordination Body and the ANA Trust Fund Board which provide oversight and coordination of international funding for ANSF sustainment.

International support for the financial sustainment is on the understanding that the Afghan Government will make an increasing financial contribution to this endeavour.

The efforts of Afghan authorities to fight corruption, improve transparency, and review its force structure and capabilities of the ANSF to achieve a sufficient and sustainable force need to continue.

End of OPERATION SLIPPER

The end of 2014 will also mark the conclusion of Operation SLIPPER, Australia's military contribution to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, and the International Coalition against Terrorism mission across Afghanistan and the Middle East which commenced in October 2001.

Since Australia commenced operations in the region, more than 33,000 ADF personnel, Australian Government civilians and Australian Federal Police have deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations.

On 1 March 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that Australia will have an Anzac Day style national commemoration for the war in Afghanistan, to ensure the bitter experience of returning Vietnam veterans is not repeated for those who have served in Australia's longest war.

It is important for the Australian people to have the opportunity to say thank you to the men and women who have served in the Middle East region during a nation-wide commemoration activity. This activity will be held in each state and territory capital city and Townsville on Saturday, 21 March 2015.

The National Commemoration for the completion of Operation SLIPPER will recognise the commitment and sacrifice of all Australian personnel who have deployed as part of Australia's commitment to combat terrorism across Afghanistan and the Middle East. Operation SLIPPER has involved civilian and military members from the Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other government agencies.

Detainee management

With our redeployment from Uruzgan and the change to a national-level training and advisory mission, ADF detention operations drew to a close at the end of 2013.

In line with broader transition efforts, the ANSF now lead detention operations across Afghanistan.

Throughout our operations in Afghanistan, the Australian Government and the ADF have taken and continue to take their responsibilities to treat detainees humanely very seriously. We will continue to ensure we meet our ethical responsibilities and, where applicable, Australia's domestic and international legal obligations.

As part of our detainee management framework, Australian officials and ADF personnel have monitored the treatment, welfare and conditions of all detainees transferred from ADF custody to Afghan (and previously US) custody. The remaining two ADF transferred detainees at the Afghan National Detention Facility-Parwan have been regularly monitored and no concerns have been identified with their treatment.

Since 1 August 2010, Australia has conducted over 160 separate visits to both Afghan and US detention facilities to monitor the welfare of ADF-transferred detainees. These visits included more than 2500 individual visit interviews and reports.

With transition to Afghan-led security, Australia will no longer conduct monitoring visits and will work with our Afghan and international partners to ensure the two remaining ADF-transferred detainees continue to be treated humanely in accordance with the applicable law.

Locally Engaged Employees

The Government is committed to the policy to settle locally engaged Afghan employees who come under risk of harm as a consequence of their work with Australia.

As the ISAF mission nears its end and the ANSF are in the lead for security, the majority of those locally engaged Afghan employees targeted by the policy have now arrived in Australia.

While this policy is still being implemented, I will refrain from commenting on the details to protect the safety of those locally engaged Afghan employees who are currently working with us.

I can confirm that Australia has now settled to date around 600 Afghan nationals, locally engaged employees and their families.

Those settled include Afghan interpreters and support workers who provided an invaluable contribution to our mission by breaking down language and cultural barriers, and represent the vast majority of those we sought to assist.

Iraq— Introduction

I also wish to update the Parliament on the commencement of the ADF mission in Iraq, to assist the Iraqi Government and the people of Iraq to combat the major threat posed by the brutal actions of ISIL also known as Da'esh.

This is not a decision the Government has taken lightly.

Ultimately it is Iraq that must defeat ISIL, but it cannot be left to confront this horrendous movement alone.

Australia is reluctant to reach out to conflicts thousands of miles away, but this conflict has reached out to us.

At least 70 Australians are fighting with ISIL and other terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria, and another 100 or so supporting these extremists

This situation is as much a matter of domestic security as it is of international security.

On 24 September, the Prime Minister attended a meeting of the UNSC chaired by President Obama on Foreign Terrorist Fighters and called on countries to work together to defeat this terrorist movement.

Australia has a long and distinguished tradition of assisting people in need and this is why Australia has joined the United States and other international partners to help anti-ISIL forces in Iraq.

We are responding to a direct request from the Iraq Government for support.

It is right that Australia makes a prudent and proportional contribution to what is essentially a humanitarian operation to protect the people of Iraq from the murderous rage of ISIL.

Our objective is to work with the Iraqi Government to ensure that it is able to keep its people safe, maintain reasonable control over their territory, and combat ISIL in the territory which it

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate take note of the document.

I want to thank the minister for providing this update to the Senate. He has been good to his word. I know that all senators have a keen interest in the welfare of our ADF personnel, especially those who are in harm's way. I would also like to reiterate Labor's support for our ADF personnel, including their deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq. It is especially important to thank the men and women of the ADF who are deployed overseas for their contribution at this time of the year. Thousands of ADF personnel will not be home for Christmas. They and their families will be in our thoughts through what is no doubt a difficult time.

Later this month will see the end of Operation Slipper in Afghanistan. Since Australia's involvement in operations in the Middle East region started in 2001, with more than 33,000 Australians deployed as ADF personnel, police or government civilians, 41 of these Australians lost their lives during this period—the last, Lance Corporal Chidgey, died in June this year. A further 261 Australians were wounded. Our thoughts are, as always, with all defence personnel and their families.

Four Australian personnel who served in Afghanistan received the Victoria Cross. The Victoria Cross is awarded to persons who, in the presence of the enemy, display the most conspicuous gallantry, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty. Many more Australians were recognised for their service in other ways. The ADF can be proud of the role that they played in defeating the Taliban and in creating a stable and secure environment to allow the Afghan government to establish itself. In recent years the Australian contribution in Afghanistan shifted to improving the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces, with an eye to transition all security responsibility to Afghanistan. While there is still much work to do, Afghanistan has improved significantly in recent years.

In Iraq ADF personnel are doing a great job to support operations against ISIL. ISIL is a barbaric organisation. There are vulnerable people in Iraq who need our help. As is appropriate, Australia has provided a proportionate level of support to the coalition. Our Defence personnel are there at the invitation of the Iraqi government. Australia is one of more than 60 countries that are supporting the unity government in Iraq in their fight against ISIL. This is vitally important to remember: it is the Iraqi government that will ultimately combat and degrade ISIL, but it is proper for Australia to support Iraq where we can.

Already our Super Hornets have flown more than 60 mission in Iraq and they are taking the fight up to ISIL in Northern Iraq. Our KC-30A aircraft have flown more than 51 missions. Our other air assets, including the Wedgetail, the Hercules and the Globemaster, have also provided vital support. On the ground we have around 200 special forces. They are now in Baghdad undertaking an important role advising and assisting the Iraqi army in their fight against ISIL. I am pleased that Defence have confirmed that appropriate force protection measures are in place.

It is entirely appropriate, and the government have behaved very responsibly in ensuring, we did not rush headlong to try to get our troops deployed in Iraq. It is very important that all of the necessary documentation was provided, and we fully support the government taking the very precautionary approach they took in ensuring the safety of our troops and their legal protections. It would be entirely inappropriate for anything else to have happened, and the government has our full support.

It is important that the Senate is given the opportunity to debate and discuss important issues. Minister Smith, before Minister Johnston, very much believed that this was the way to go. I know the Greens have a different view at times, but I know they will welcome the opportunity today to speak on these issues. While we may disagree, it is important that all in this chamber have an opportunity to express their view, put their case, argue their position. Ministerial statements provide us with that opportunity. I want to again express my support for the ADF personnel deployed around the world and to wish them and their families a happy and safe Christmas.

Question agreed to.