Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Lambie, I move:

That, on 1 September 2021, after the publicly indicated completion of current rescue efforts at Kabul Airport, the following matters be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and interim report by 29 November 2021, and a final report by the first parliamentary sitting week in February 2022:

(a) Australia's twenty-year military, diplomatic and development engagement in Afghanistan, with reference to:

(i) our success in achieving the Australian Governments' stated objectives,

(ii) the collapse of the Afghan Government and Afghan National Army, and the Taliban's resurgence and takeover of Kabul, following the withdrawal of coalition troops from Afghanistan,

(iii) the costs of Australia's engagement in Afghanistan,

(iv) the Prime Minister's statement that Australian Government support will not reach 'all that it should' in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of coalition forces from the country;

(b) the adequacy of Australia's preparation for withdrawal from Afghanistan, including:

(i) closure of the embassy,

(ii) the evacuation of Australian citizens, permanent residents and visa holders, and

(iii) decisions relating to evacuation of at risk Afghan nationals and partners and family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents;

(c) how the Australian Government should respond to recent developments in Afghanistan in order to:

(i) protect Australia's national security,

(ii) prevent or mitigate damage to Australia's international reputation, if necessary,

(iii) extend immediate mental health support to Australian defence force personnel and veterans while the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide remains ongoing, and

(iv) protect Australian citizens, visa holders, and Afghan nationals who supported Australian forces, where they remain in Afghanistan; and

(d) any related matters.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move an amendment to the motion.

Leave granted.

I move:

Omit paragraph (a)(iv).

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion be amended in those terms—omitting paragraph (a)(iv).

Question agreed to.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—Could you please record the Greens' opposition to the removal of this term?

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is so recorded.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Steele-John, I seek leave to move an amendment to the motion.

Leave granted.

At the request of Senator Steele-John, I move:

Omit sub-paragraph (a)(i), substitute:

(i) what the stated objectives of Australia's participation in Afghanistan were, whether these were met, and whether the strategies to achieve these objectives were effective,

(ia) the effectiveness and accountability of political and military leadership in working to the stated aims of Australia's participation in the war,

Omit sub-paragraph (c)(iv), substitute:

(iv) protect Australian citizens, visa holders, and Afghan nationals who supported Australian forces, where they remain in Afghanistan, and people left vulnerable to violent persecution due the circumstances of the withdrawal - this includes, but is not limited to, women, LGBTIQ+ people, children, members of ethnic groups, human rights advocates, Afghan Government officials, journalists, academics and alumni of Australian universities,

(v) protect and promote the human rights of people in Afghanistan and our ongoing humanitarian obligations, and

(vi) coordinate with ongoing investigations by the Office of the Special Investigator and the Australian Federal Police on the alleged war crimes committed by Australian Special Forces; and

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the amendment moved by Senator Siewert, at the request of Senator Steele-John, be agreed to.

Question negatived.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—Obviously, I would like it recorded that we supported our own amendment.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion, as amended by Senator Ruston, be agreed to.

Question agreed to.