Lyn Allison (Victoria, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. I refer to the fact that British Prime Minister Blair announced his plan last week for British troops to be gradually brought home over the next 22 months, saying Iraqi forces could take on responsibility for the security of Basra and surrounding areas. Why is it that our Prime Minister cannot seem to make plans for troop withdrawal? Is it because he is waiting for President Bush to give permission? Isn’t it the case that the British military chiefs have for months advised that the presence of British troops in Basra is increasingly unnecessary, even provocative? What was the advice of our military advisers? Why exactly did the Prime Minister announce 70 extra troops to conduct training? Is it the case that they were not even requested by the Iraqi government—and, if not the Iraqi government, who did the Prime Minister take his orders from?