Labor's flip-flops on Iraq

Kim Beazley needs to announce a clear policy on Iraq so that our service personnel can continue their important work without constantly being targeted in a political debate.

The Labor Leader's latest comments on Iraq yesterday amount to the ALP's 17^th policy on Iraq troop deployments in less than a year.

Kim Beazley needs to clarify the situation and tell us what Labor stands for.

On Channel Nine's Sunday program yesterday Mr Beazley reverted to a "troops out" policy saying: "we need to go where we can really add value. And where we can really add value is in South East Asia."

He said the only Australian forces that should stay in the Iraq region are those protecting our diplomats and those providing maritime and aerial surveillance in the Gulf.

Is he saying that our Australian Defence Personnel who are working hard training the Iraqi security forces are providing no benefit? Is he saying we should pull out our medical teams who are doing an outstanding job helping injured Iraqi people and Coalition forces?

Now, more than ever, is the time for the international community to help Iraq to rebuild and move towards full sovereignty. This is not the time to withdraw our support to the Iraqis in their time of need.

Australia is focused on security in the Asia Pacific region and working closely with our neighbours in key areas such as counter terrorism. However, we do not need to withdraw our troops from the important work they are doing in Iraq in order to do this.

Mr Beazley is in a shambles on Iraq. He is no clearer than Mark Latham.

Instead of searching daily for a populist line, he should outline a policy.

Media Inquiries: Mr Downer's office 02 6277 7500 - DFAT Media Liaison 02 6261 1555