Media Release
FA43 - 27 March 2004
Latham's Iraq Policy Chaos
Labor's Mark Latham must make his position on Australia's troop deployment to Iraq clear.
In less then a week Labor has managed to create chaos by making policy on the run and putting at least three different positions forward.
Latham needs finally to accept the briefing on Iraq that four months ago he rightly concluded he needed. Then, prepared with the appropriate information, Labor should make a considered policy decision.
The war against terrorism requires cool heads and steadfast resolve. Our terrorist enemies specifically aim to encourage and exploit weakness and division.
Labor's various policy positions this week include:
Rudd - Shoulder to the wheel
At the start of the week, Labor's position mirrored the Government's and was best expressed by Labor's Foreign Policy spokesman Kevin Rudd in his letter to the Prime Minister on November 17, 2003:
"...it is the Opposition's view that it is now the responsibility of all people of goodwill, both in this country and beyond, to put their shoulder to the wheel in an effort to build a new Iraq."
Latham - Home by Christmas
Then, in a Tuesday radio interview, Latham changed the policy to one that mirrors the Green's call to have our "troops home by Christmas." This position was reinforced just yesterday afternoon by Latham:
"We're much safer and sounder as a nation, and I'm sure the Australian people have been saying this in recent times, having our troops here than on the other side of the world. And that's the reason why we're making this commitment to have our troops back by Christmas. That's our intention, that's the target that we've set."
Latham's Spokeswoman - Bring back trainers and air traffic controllers
Now we have Latham's spokeswoman continuing the policy on the run. She is reported in today's The Age as saying Labor would not withdraw the frigate HMAS Melbourne or air crews based in the Gulf and would reconsider the issue of military protection for Australian diplomats in Baghdad.
This would have Labor bringing home two main groups of defence force personnel from Iraq. First, the 65 military trainers, who are vital to helping Iraq establish security self-reliance. Second, our 90-strong air traffic and operations team which provides vital air traffic control services at Baghdad airport.
It is Latham's extraordinary contention that the addition of these 155 trainers and air services personnel to the 50,000 permanent ADF personnel based in Australia would make us "much safer and sounder as a nation."
The Australian public and the international community are entitled to be confused by Labor's contortions. Latham should stop playing politics with national security. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials, Australian Intelligence officers and Department of Defence staff can brief the Opposition Leader this weekend.
Latham should arm himself with the facts, consult his colleagues and announce a serious, clear and considered Iraq policy.
Media inquiries: Chris Kenny +61 02 6277 7500