Mr BURKE - 2004-03-30
What do you say to the families in my electorate who have loved ones serving in Iraq when they are being told by your Labor colleagues, including the member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, that their loved ones should never have gone to Iraq, that their loved ones should now abandon their pride in getting a job done and, instead, retreat home; and that their loved ones are placing the rest of us at risk of a terrorist attack by being in Iraq? Will the Chief Minister state unequivocally that they should not be withdrawn until their respective tasks have been completed, and that setting arbitrary times for their withdrawal is not in the best interests of those personnel or the people of Iraq and Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, when the member for Brennan asks a question, he should get it accurate. This government supported our troops from around Australia and their involvement in Iraq. I was at their farewell and welcoming home our troops from the Territory – we wish them well. We, as government, said - and I am sure supported by the opposition - when they returned , what a fine job they had done. Implicit in the member for Brennan’s question was that we did not do that, and we certainly did. We supported our Territory and Australian Defence Forces.
The issue of when our Defence Forces will come home - and it is an important issue, because I am sure everyone here would like them home. I am aware that about a quarter of those forces will be coming home - broadly described as forces - by about June. The air traffic controllers will be coming home in June. Therefore, we will see a staged withdrawal of our troops after that, once the interim government gets set up in Iraq. I am sure they will do a fine job. I believe you have seen, from the words of the federal Opposition Leader, that he will respond to the needs of the community and of the new government of Iraq, in having those Defence Forces being able to contribute. I support that contribution, and would like to see those troops home though as soon as possible.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, when the member for Brennan asks a question, he should get it accurate. This government supported our troops from around Australia and their involvement in Iraq. I was at their farewell and welcoming home our troops from the Territory – we wish them well. We, as government, said - and I am sure supported by the opposition - when they returned , what a fine job they had done. Implicit in the member for Brennan’s question was that we did not do that, and we certainly did. We supported our Territory and Australian Defence Forces.
The issue of when our Defence Forces will come home - and it is an important issue, because I am sure everyone here would like them home. I am aware that about a quarter of those forces will be coming home - broadly described as forces - by about June. The air traffic controllers will be coming home in June. Therefore, we will see a staged withdrawal of our troops after that, once the interim government gets set up in Iraq. I am sure they will do a fine job. I believe you have seen, from the words of the federal Opposition Leader, that he will respond to the needs of the community and of the new government of Iraq, in having those Defence Forces being able to contribute. I support that contribution, and would like to see those troops home though as soon as possible.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016