Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown (l) and partner of eight years ,
Grazier Paul Thomas
Greens, Dems slam Iraq troop plan
February 22, 2005
PRIME Minister John Howard misled voters at the last election by letting them believe Australia's involvement in Iraq would be scaled down, Greens Senator Bob Brown said today.
Mr Howard today said he would send a new 450-strong military taskforce to Iraq to assist in rebuilding.
The taskforce would work alongside Japanese forces rebuilding roads and schools in southern Iraq, and would also help train Iraqi security forces.
Australia's increased commitment followed requests from the Japanese and British governments, Mr Howard said.
The Australian Democrats said Australia should be planning to get troops out of Iraq, rather than send more.
Democrats deputy leader Senator Andrew Bartlett said that while aid workers needed protection, he had serious concerns about the move today to send more troops.
"We understand there is a certain amount of 'You broke it, you fix it' for countries such as Australia that were part of the coalition of the willing," Senator Bartlett said.
"But we also ask the Government to get the bull out of the china shop and get all foreign troops out of Iraq as soon as possible, particularly any that are involved in any way in combat activities."
Senator Brown said in Perth: "The reason the UK and Japan aren't sending more (of their own) troops is because it would create an uproar in London or Tokyo."
"John Howard is saying 'Well, the prime ministers of Japan and the UK are not going to risk the electoral backlash but I've got an election over and done with, I will fill in using Australian troops'.
"This is John Howard indicating if other countries withdraw then (US President) George (W) Bush, give me a call."
Senator Brown, in Perth for Senate hearings into the Iraq's wheat debts, said the move was both terrible and outrageous.
Mr Howard should not use Australian troops to compensate for independent decisions by other countries to withdraw from Iraq, he said.
"John Howard never told voters he would be sending 450 more troops to Iraq, never indicated that in the election campaign," he said.
"He effectively misled the Australian electorate on this issue and it is a huge mistake for Australia."
At the time of the federal election Australians had the expectation that Australia would be withdrawing from Iraq, not increasing their involvement, Senator Brown said.
The Government should be withdrawing troops, not sending more, he said.
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