Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I would seek your indulgence in light of that last answer. Our first thoughts today, in light of the foreign minister's answer and the Prime Minister's invitation before in regard to his answer, are with the troops already in Iraq and the Middle East and their families. We understand that the ADF mission, in a region torn by violence, carries deadly risk. All Australians admire the bravery that such action demands. On behalf of the Labor Party, I say to our men and women in uniform: all Australians are proud of you today and every day, and we are proud of your families. I promise you that our nation will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people who love you until you come home.

The situation in Iraq, as the government has observed, is most serious. Daesh are totalitarian zealots beyond redemption.

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