Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Indeed, Australia is making a significant military contribution to the counter-Daesh campaign in Iraq, and I have reported on that to the chamber previously. Our Defence Force members, operating as part of the broader US-led coalition, are providing support to the Iraqi security forces throughout the Mosul offensive. We continue, with the NZDF, to train Iraqi army units as part of our Building Partner Capacity mission at Taji, with over 14,000 Iraqi troops trained to date—a very considerable contribution.

Our Special Operations Task Group is continuing with its advise and assist role with the elite Iraqi counterterrorism service as they also prepare and plan for operations. The Australian special forces also assist the Iraqi counterterrorism service with the integration of air and artillery support. The Air Task Group, of course, is conducting air strikes and providing enabling support in the vicinity of Mosul. I want to acknowledge the contribution that our ADF personnel and their families are making on our behalf and assure you their skills and experience are highly regarded by the international community and the government of Iraq. (Time expired)