John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Brown, it is very difficult to give you a substantive answer to all those very important questions that you have asked. I would ask you to examine some of the public statements I have made, including a very substantive statement on Afghanistan in relation to this matter. It is not true to suggest that the government of the United States of America has specifically requested that the Australian government increase its troop commitment to Afghanistan. I think I have made that very clear to the parliament in the past. I think it is important that I stress that Afghanistan has been a training ground for terrorists, including those who have perpetrated attacks on Australia. (Time expired)