No Iraq briefing call: Labor
February 27, 2005
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1274&storyid=2734778
LABOR today admitted it had made no requests to the Government for briefings on Iraq.
No request for troop briefing
Labor has said it would consider setting up a Senate inquiry into the troop deployment if it does not receive a satisfactory briefing.
A spokesman for Prime Minister John Howard said today the Federal Government had not received any formal request from Labor for a special briefing on the deployment of extra troops to Iraq.
Labor's defence spokesman Robert McClelland today admitted the party had not actually made a request for briefings.
He told Channel Seven today he had not received any briefings on the situation in Iraq since last October's federal election.
"We've had advice regarding the troop deployment, their position and so forth, but at no stage have we been provided with a briefing as to likely or possible scenarios that might happen in Iraq."
But he had not had information on the intelligence.
Asked whether he had requested them, Mr McClelland said: "In terms - no, quite frankly."
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said yesterday he had written to Mr Howard seeking a briefing on the government's decision to send an extra 450 troops to southern Iraq.
Mr Howard's spokesman said no request had been received.
"But the Opposition will be provided with the usual courtesy and normal briefings oppositions should receive in such circumstances," he said.
Mr McClelland said that until Labor had a briefing, it was "flying in the dark" on the issue of intelligence.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said today the issue of a briefing for Labor would be "something the Prime Minister will reflect on".
AAP
Why would any Government tell these Saddam Groupies anything about Australias' military plans in Iraq I well remember Vietnam and the ALPs' trechery then, I would not tell them the time of day let alone our Defence startegy in Iraq.
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