Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate take note of the document.

I want to thank the minister for providing this update to the Senate. He has been good to his word. I know that all senators have a keen interest in the welfare of our ADF personnel, especially those who are in harm's way. I would also like to reiterate Labor's support for our ADF personnel, including their deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq. It is especially important to thank the men and women of the ADF who are deployed overseas for their contribution at this time of the year. Thousands of ADF personnel will not be home for Christmas. They and their families will be in our thoughts through what is no doubt a difficult time.

Later this month will see the end of Operation Slipper in Afghanistan. Since Australia's involvement in operations in the Middle East region started in 2001, with more than 33,000 Australians deployed as ADF personnel, police or government civilians, 41 of these Australians lost their lives during this period—the last, Lance Corporal Chidgey, died in June this year. A further 261 Australians were wounded. Our thoughts are, as always, with all defence personnel and their families.

Four Australian personnel who served in Afghanistan received the Victoria Cross. The Victoria Cross is awarded to persons who, in the presence of the enemy, display the most conspicuous gallantry, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty. Many more Australians were recognised for their service in other ways. The ADF can be proud of the role that they played in defeating the Taliban and in creating a stable and secure environment to allow the Afghan government to establish itself. In recent years the Australian contribution in Afghanistan shifted to improving the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces, with an eye to transition all security responsibility to Afghanistan. While there is still much work to do, Afghanistan has improved significantly in recent years.

In Iraq ADF personnel are doing a great job to support operations against ISIL. ISIL is a barbaric organisation. There are vulnerable people in Iraq who need our help. As is appropriate, Australia has provided a proportionate level of support to the coalition. Our Defence personnel are there at the invitation of the Iraqi government. Australia is one of more than 60 countries that are supporting the unity government in Iraq in their fight against ISIL. This is vitally important to remember: it is the Iraqi government that will ultimately combat and degrade ISIL, but it is proper for Australia to support Iraq where we can.

Already our Super Hornets have flown more than 60 mission in Iraq and they are taking the fight up to ISIL in Northern Iraq. Our KC-30A aircraft have flown more than 51 missions. Our other air assets, including the Wedgetail, the Hercules and the Globemaster, have also provided vital support. On the ground we have around 200 special forces. They are now in Baghdad undertaking an important role advising and assisting the Iraqi army in their fight against ISIL. I am pleased that Defence have confirmed that appropriate force protection measures are in place.

It is entirely appropriate, and the government have behaved very responsibly in ensuring, we did not rush headlong to try to get our troops deployed in Iraq. It is very important that all of the necessary documentation was provided, and we fully support the government taking the very precautionary approach they took in ensuring the safety of our troops and their legal protections. It would be entirely inappropriate for anything else to have happened, and the government has our full support.

It is important that the Senate is given the opportunity to debate and discuss important issues. Minister Smith, before Minister Johnston, very much believed that this was the way to go. I know the Greens have a different view at times, but I know they will welcome the opportunity today to speak on these issues. While we may disagree, it is important that all in this chamber have an opportunity to express their view, put their case, argue their position. Ministerial statements provide us with that opportunity. I want to again express my support for the ADF personnel deployed around the world and to wish them and their families a happy and safe Christmas.

Question agreed to.