First World War 1914 to 1918 | There was no ministerial statement to parliament. The Governor-General, Sir Ronald Ferguson, opened the sixth Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia on 8 October 1914. In his speech he said: You have been called together at the earliest moment after the return of the writs to deal with matters of great national importance, many of them arising out of the calamitous war in which the Empire has been compelled to engage. ... It has been necessary to anticipate Parliamentary approval of expenditure urgently required for war purposes. A Bill covering all such unauthorized expenditure will be submitted for your consideration at the earliest possible moment. | The motion moved was ‘That the Address be agreed to by the House’. A government senator speaking in the Address-in-Reply debate stated that ‘Our duty to the British Empire must never be questioned – must never be forsaken in any degree’. During the debate, the Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Cook, said: I wish to say to the Government that we shall be behind them most cordially with our best support – and not critical support – in prosecuting this war right to the end, and in financing it to the full in every legitimate and reasonable way. The question was resolved in the affirmative, without division, in the House of Representatives and the Senate. | Prime Minister Joseph Cook’s Liberal Government was in power prior to the declaration of war by Britain. Federal Parliament was prorogued on 27June and dissolved on 30 July 1914. On 31 July 1914 the Opposition Leader, Andrew Fisher, declared at an election event: Should the worst happen, after everything has been done that honour will permit, Australians will stand beside the mother country to help and defend her to our last man and our last shilling. Speaking on the same night at a separate event Prime Minister Joseph Cook said: If there is to be a war, you and I shall be in it. We must be in it. If the old country is at war, so are we. An emergency Cabinet was held on 3 August 1914 to discuss the imminent war. On 4 August 1914 Britain issued the first of 4 declarations of war; the first was against Germany; the second against Austria-Hungary on 12 August 1914; the third against Turkey on 5 November 1914; and Bulgaria was the fourth on 15 October 1915. A double dissolution election was held on 5September 1914. Andrew Fisher’s ALP (Australian Labor Party) Government was elected. The new parliament did not meet until 8October 1914. |
Second World War1939 to 1945 | On 6 September 1939 Prime Minister Robert Menzies tabled a white paper and delivered a ministerial statement on the war in Europe. The white paper contained texts of documents exchanged between the British and German governments. The motion ‘that the paper be printed’ was debated in both Houses. | In his ministerial statement the prime minister said: However long this conflict may last, I do not seek a muzzled Opposition. Our institutions of parliament, and of liberal thought, free speech, and free criticism, must go on.’ During the debate, the Leader of the Opposition, John Curtin, expressed surprise that the prime minister had not: … seized this first opportunity of meeting the Parliament to outline, at least broadly, the intentions of the Government in respect of the defence of this Commonwealth, and of the general principles upon which it proposed to be influenced in framing its programme. Curtin also read a statement endorsed by the Australian Labor Party caucus saying: ...The democratic rights of the people must be safeguarded to the maximum ... To ensure that this be done, it is essential that the Parliament of the Commonwealth should remain in session. Debate on the ministerial statement was adjourned in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, the motion was resolved in the affirmative. There was no division. | Coalition Government in power under Prime Minister Robert Menzies. The announcement by British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, that Britain was at war with Germany was received on short-wave wireless in Australia at 8 pm on 3 September 1939. Once the news from Britain had been authenticated (via official telegram), the Executive Council approved the Commonwealth’s proclamation to declare war against Germany. The Governor-General issued the proclamation in the Commonwealth Gazette. At 9:15 pm on the same evening, Prime Minister Robert Menzies made a radio address to the nation. Menzies said: It is my melancholy duty to inform you officially, that in consequence of a persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war. The Second World War official histories notes that Menzies ‘made no suggestion that Australia could have taken any other course than to stand beside Great Britain’. The Official histories record other events of that evening: At 10.14 [pm] a proclamation was issued in Canberra that Australia was at war, and at 10.25 [pm] Mr Shedden [Secretary, Department of Defence] signed a memorandum to the Secretary of the Military Board, as to other Federal departments stating that “the action specified in the Commonwealth War Book for the War Stage (including that for the Precautionary Stage not yet taken) should be initiated forthwith;” at 11.47 [pm] a message that war had begun was sent to all military districts. The Official histories suggest that, although the Opposition accepted the existence of a state of war, ‘as a fact with which, in the circumstances, Parliament had been unable to deal’, it was developing the view that: … the nature and extent of Australian participation in the war should be determined or approved from time to time by the Commonwealth Parliament. The party’s request that Parliament should remain in session was in keeping with such a view. |
| On 7 September 1939, the Minister for Defence, Geoffrey Street, tabled a ministerial statement on defence preparations. No motion was moved. | The statement was not debated. The Leader of the Opposition, John Curtin, replied: … regularly the Minister should make a statement to the House indicating the progressive steps that have been taken in relation to this most important and vital matter … it might be considered very serviceable if a motion could be moved on the occasion of the delivery of such a statement so that some opportunity could be provided … for members of the Parliament either to criticize it, … or to make suggestions that may be of use to the Government. In that way it could be made clear that the statement is made not merely as a recital of what has been done but as an intimation for the Parliament to consider and even to express its mindthereon ... in that way this Parliamentmaynotonly act, ... as the masters of the Government, but also we shall give every demonstration that in a democracy defence of the country is not a one-man job’. | |
| On 19 September 1939, Prime Minister Robert Menzies delivered a ministerial statement on the international situation. No motion was moved. On 20 September 1939, Menzies informed parliament about the government’s decision to offer the British Government an air expeditionary force of 6 squadrons. | There was no debate on either statement and no reply from the Opposition. | All decisions about Australian expeditionary forces at the outset of the war were made by the Executive under Menzies. On 28 October 1940, the Advisory War Council was established under national security regulations to advise government on the prosecution of the war. It was chaired by Menzies and comprised representatives from the government and opposition, including Curtin. The agreement between the government and the ALP stated the council would allow a stronger ‘war effort and give substantial effect to the requirements for internal security and post-war preparation’. The council was ‘empowered to investigate, advise and assist the Government in its war efforts’. The ALP also agreed to place its members ‘at the disposal of the Government to assist Ministers occupied on war and defence efforts’, but would not take political advantage. |
| On 16 December 1941, Prime Minister John Curtin delivered a statement on the international situation and tabled documents relating to US-Japan conversations and Australia’s declaration on 8 December of the existence of a state of war with Finland, Hungary, Romania, and Japan. Curtin moved that the House approve the action of the government in issuing ‘proclamations declaring the existence of a state of war with Japan, Finland, Hungary and Rumania’. | In his speech on 16 December 1941, Curtin noted that when a proclamation is issued calling up the military under the Defence Act, if parliament is not sitting, ‘it shall be summoned to meet within ten days’. He stated: …Parliament is now asked to endorse the advice which led to the issue of the proclamation by the Governor-General of Australia on behalf of His Majesty the King. The Official histories noted: It would appear from Curtin’s words that the necessity to call Parliament together was presented by the Defence Act, but advantage was taken of the occasion to obtain formal parliamentary approval of the declaration of war. Although he [Curtin] created a precedent by seeking the passage of a resolution approving the Government’s action in respect to the declaration of war, he did not appear to have advanced anywhere the thesis that it was constitutionally necessary to do so. Leader of the Opposition, Arthur Fadden responded: The Opposition not only associates itself with the grave and important resolution before the House, but also wholeheartedly allies itself with the Government in the steps it has taken. The motion was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate without division. | ALP Government in power under Prime Minister John Curtin. The War Cabinet met on 8 December 1941. That evening Prime Minister Curtin announced in a national broadcast that ‘we are at war with Japan,’ although the Official histories report that ‘the formal decision to declare war was not made until the 9th [December 1941]’. On 9 December 1941, the government proclaimed, ‘the existence of a state of war with Japan as from 5 p.m. on 8th December’. The previous day the government had ‘declared the existence of a state of war with Finland, Hungary and Rumania respectively as from 5 p.m., 8th December’. |
| Parliament met on 20 February 1942. Prime Minister John Curtin moved: … a joint meeting of members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives be convened for 4pm this day, for the purpose of discussing in secret the present war and hearing confidential reports in relation thereto. | Leader of the Opposition, Arthur Fadden responded that ‘The Opposition wholeheartedly supports the motion’. The motion was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives without division. | On 6 January 1942, Australia declared war on Bulgaria. On 2 March 1942, Australia declared war on Thailand. The Official histories noted: There was no reference to Parliament of any question related to the war on Bulgaria, but the decision was made in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Advisory War Council. Subsequently Australia declared war with Thailand by a similar procedure... |
| On 25 February 1942, the Minister for External Affairs, Herbert V. Evatt, delivered a ministerial statement reviewing the war situation. He moved that the paper be printed. | Leader of the Opposition, Arthur Fadden, said: I am sure that the House joins with me in expressing appreciation of the trouble to which the Minister for External Affairs ... has gone in the compilation of the information he has just conveyed, and of the opportunity that is thereby afforded to us to debate and review the international position in the light of what we have heard. The motion was passed by the House of Representatives without division. In the Senate, the statement was read and discharged. | |
Malayan Emergency 1950 to 1960 | Prime Minister Robert Menzies delivered ministerial statements on the situation in Malaya on 30 May 1950 and 31 May 1950. | In his ministerial statement on 30 May 1950, Prime Minister Menzies said the government was: … giving careful consideration to the question of ways and means of assisting the United Kingdom Government in its Malayan problem. In his ministerial statement on 31 May 1950, the prime minister informed the House that the government had considered the request for assistance from the British Government and decided to provide: … a transport squadron of Dakota aircraft, for supply dropping and general transport services. The Royal Australian Air Force crews and ground staff accompanying the squadron will total approximately 168. The Government has also agreed to provide assistance in servicing certain Royal Air Force aircraft in Australia. | Coalition Government in power under Prime Minister Robert Menzies. The Official histories notes: The first direct approach for Australian assistance in combating the communist insurgency in Malaya was made in April 1950, when the British Government asked if Australia could provide reinforcements for British air squadrons operating in Malaya.’ Australian air units arrived in the Malayan theatre in June 1950. |
| The Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, delivered a ministerial statement on 20 April 1955 and moved that the paper be printed. The statement included the following message from the acting chairperson of the Manila Treaty Council Representatives Meeting on 7 April 1955: …the Council Representatives of the South-East Asian Treaty Organization have taken note of the statement made by Your Excellency on the 1st instant and welcome the decision of the Australian Government to seek parliamentary approval for participation by Australian forces in a strategic reserve to be established in Malaya as an important part of the Treaty Area. The strategic reserve to which Australia, Britain and New Zealand contributed to was known as the British Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR). | In his ministerial statement, Prime Minister Robert Menzies stated: I have already announced publicly that the Government proposes to contribute a comparatively small force to a strategic reserve in Malaya. I will, a little later in this speech, indicate the acceptance of more extensive military responsibilities in the event of war. The Leader of the Opposition, Herbert V. Evatt, responded: Australia’s true role in South-East Asia will not be helped butobstructed by the present proposal to send our armed forces to Malaya... The Opposition moved an amendment that the following words be substituted after ‘that’: ‘this House rejects the Government’s proposals to despatch Australian armed forces to Malaya as set out in the paper read by the Prime Minister’. The amendment was defeated. In the House of Representatives, the main question ‘that the Paper be printed’ was negatived. There was no division. In the Senate, the motion was resolved in the affirmative. There was no division. | In 1955 the British Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) was formed with Air Force, Army and Navy elements from Australia, Britain, and New Zealand. The key role of the FESR was to protect countries like Malaya and Singapore against communist forces. The ALP conference held in March 1955 did not support sending military forces to Malaya. The motion stated: 7. The Australian Labor Party is satisfied that the use ofAustralian Armed forces in Malaya will gravely injure Australian relations with our Asian neighbours while in no way contributing to the prevention of aggression. The “guerrilla” operations in Malaya have lasted five years. They will eventually be ended by some form of agreement or amnesty. Action towards this end should begin now. 8. Labor policy is to oppose the use of Armed Forces in Malaya. The prime minister announced the commitment of additional forces after a Cabinet meeting on 15 June 1955. These military forces would be available for use in anti-terrorist operations. The Official histories note: … the press generally welcomed this decision regarding it as logical, indeed inevitable, but criticising the fact that it was announced when Parliament was in recess. |
Korean War 1950 to 1953 | Parliament was recalled on 6 July 1950. The motion moved by Prime Minister Robert Menzies stated: … this House, having before it the Charter of the United Nations and the recent resolutions of the Security Council in relation to Korea, approves of the action taken by the Government in placing at the disposal of the United Nations the forces indicated in the statement of the Prime Minister. | On 6 July 1950, Prime Minister Robert Menzies delivered a statement on the situation in Korea and outlined the events leading to Australia’s involvement in the war. The Leader of the Opposition, Ben Chifley, indicated the Opposition would support the motion. In the Senate debate, William Ashley, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, said: Whilst it is not always opportune to call the Parliament together, and it is realized that certain matters must be dealt with urgently, I stress that any future Australian commitments should have the approval of Parliament. The motion, debated in the Senate and the House of Representatives, was resolved in the affirmative. There was no division in either House. | Coalition Government in power under Prime Minister Robert Menzies. The war commenced on 25 June 1950. In his statement to parliament on 6 July, the prime minister outlined the steps that led to Australia’s involvement in the conflict: United Nations’ Security Council resolutions were approved on 25 and 27June 1950. The latter recommended that: ‘Members of the United Nations furnish such assistance to the Republic of Korea as may be necessary to repel the armed attack and to restore international peace and security in the area’. On 29 June Australia advised relevant authorities that it had decided to support the Security Council resolution by: … placing an Australian naval force in far eastern waters … at the disposal of the United States authorities on behalf of the Security Council for the purpose of furnishing assistance to the Republic of Korea. On 30 June, the government announced it ‘had decided to place at the service of the United Nations, through the American authorities, the Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron stationed in Japan’. The Australian Army’s Third Battalion (3RAR) deployed to Korea in early October 1950. |
Confrontation (Indonesia) 1963 to 1966 | On 23 March 1965, the Minister for External Affairs, Paul Hasluck, delivered a ministerial statement on international affairs. He stated: … I shall confine my remarks to a few of the more urgent topics. This is not intended, however, to limit the range of debate. Although the minister referred to the situation in Indonesia, he made no direct reference to the government’s decision to send military forces to Borneo. The minister stated: …it remains a primary objective of Australian policy to seek with Indonesia a relationship based on understanding and respect. Hence, while leaving Indonesia in no doubt at all of Australia's determination to assist Malaysia to defend herself against armed attack and subversion, we continue to demonstrate our willingness to search for the basis of an enduring peaceful relationship with Indonesia. In this spirit, the Government is continuing a limited programme of aid to Indonesia, details of which are available to honourable members in statements tabled in the Library. This aid has been and will be kept under close review and the decision to proceed with it has been made after the most careful consideration of all the relevant factors. | The Leader of the Opposition, Arthur Calwell, responded by briefly noting: Aggression in all forms must be resisted. We believe, however, that the Australian Government has failed totally to take any diplomatic initiative either to end this dispute, or to reduce its temperature. I am optimistic enough to believe that war can be avoided; but if it is, it will be not because of any initiative taken by this Government. Debate on the motion ‘that the House take note of the Paper’ was adjourned on 1 April 1965. | Coalition Government in power under Prime Minister Robert Menzies. In January 1963 the Indonesian Government, under President Sukarno, declared a policy of Konfrontasi (meaning confrontation) in opposition to the formation of Malaysia. Initially the Australian Government did not commit military assets and personnel to the Confrontation, despite requests for assistance by the British and Malaysian governments. Although, Australian military forces were: … used for the defence of the Malay peninsula against external attack. In the event, such attacks occurred twice, in September and October 1964, when Indonesia launched paratrooper and amphibious raids against Labis and Pontian on the south-western side of the peninsula. Members of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) were used in clean-up operations against the invading troops. Although these attacks were easily repelled, they did pose a serious risk of escalating the fighting. By January 1965, the Australian Government decided that 3 RAR and a squadron of SAS personnel should be made available for operations. The decision was announced by acting Prime Minister John McEwen on 3February 1965 (Prime Minister Menzies was in Britain attending Winston Churchill’s funeral). |
Vietnam War 1962 to 1973 | No statement to parliament. Parliament adjourned on 17 May 1962 and did not meet again until 7August 1962. | | Coalition Government in power under Prime Minister Robert Menzies. On 24 May 1962, the Minister for Defence, Athol Townley, issued a media release announcing: … at the invitation of the government of the Republic of Vietnam, Australia was sending a group of military instructors to that country. This was subsequently confirmed in another media release on 26 July 1962. These instructors became known as the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam and is considered the ‘beginning of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War’. The Official histories noted that, although there was no opportunity for a parliamentary debate, it was ‘unlikely that the Opposition would have mounted a major challenge to the Government’s policy’. |
| On 23 March 1965, the Minister for External Affairs, Paul Hasluck, delivered a ministerial statement on international affairs that focused on the situation in Vietnam. In a ministerial statement delivered on 29 April 1965, Prime Minister Robert Menzies advised the parliament that the government had decided to send combat forces to Vietnam. | The motions on both 23 March 1965 and 29April 1965 moved ‘that the House take note of the paper’. In his ministerial statement Menzies said: The Australian Government is now in receipt of a request from the Government of South Vietnam for further military assistance. We have decided – and this has been after close consultation with the Government of the United States – to provide an infantry battalion for service in South Vietnam … I should say … that we decided in principle some time ago … that we would be willing to do this if we received the necessary request from the Government of South Vietnam and the necessary collaboration with the United States. Debate on the statement was postponed until parliament resumed on 4 May 1965. In response, the Leader of the Opposition, Arthur Calwell, said: … on behalf of all my colleagues of Her Majesty’s Opposition, I say that we oppose the Government’s decision to send 800 men to fight in Vietnam. We oppose it firmly and completely. In the House of Representatives, the motion ‘that the paper be printed’ was resolved in the affirmative: ayes 60, noes 44.[154] In the Senate, the motion ‘that the Senate take note of the paper’ was resolved in the affirmative. There was no division. | The first US proposal for the deployment of Australian combat forces to Vietnam was made on 4 December 1964. On 13 April 1965 the Australian Government formerly offered to deploy an Army battalion, which was accepted by the US Government. The Official histories noted that, as the timing of the government’s announcement on 29April depended on when it received a response from South Vietnam, the prime minister’s statement was delivered at the end of a parliamentary week. Both the Leader of the Opposition, Arthur Calwell, and Deputy Leader, Gough Whitlam, ‘had left Canberra ... for a political appointment in Sydney’. Following Menzies’ 29 April 1965 statement to parliament, Rendle Holten (National Country Party) highlighted: It seems rather an anti-climax to be the first speaker in a resumed debate on education after such an historic statement by the Prime Minister of Australia (Sir Robert Menzies) on so serious a matter as the position in Vietnam. His statement has fully awakened us to the responsibility that we have in this Parliament in makingdecisions to send members ofourfighting forces overseas into deadly combat. |
Gulf War 1990 to 1991 | On 21 August 1990 Prime Minister Bob Hawke delivered a ministerial statement to parliament. He said: … I want to take this first opportunity available to me to inform the House of the view the Government has taken of the situation which has arisen in the Middle East over the past three weeks and of the measures we have adopted to meet that situation. | The prime minister’s motion, in part, condemned Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait; called upon Iraq to withdraw its forces from Kuwait; affirmed the fundamental importance of the United Nations Charter to preserve peace and protect international borders; supported the government’s decision to send Royal Australian Navy ships to the Middle East to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq; and supported the government’s implementation of UN sanctions. In response, Leader of the Opposition, John Hewson, said ‘The Opposition parties are pleased to support the motion that is before the House’. In the House of Representatives, the motion was agreed to without a division. The Member for North Sydney, Ted Mack, asked that his dissent be recorded. In the Senate, the motion was agreed to without a division. The Australian Democrats asked that their objection to paragraph 5, subsection 2 be recorded. | ALP Government in power under Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2 August 1990. |
| On 4 December 1990 Prime Minister Bob Hawke delivered a ministerial statement on the Middle East. He informed the parliament: … the Government unreservedly supports the United Nations Security Council resolution 678. Our support for the resolution imposes on us an obligation to respond to the request in its third paragraph for all nations to provide appropriate support for actions taken under the resolution. I emphasise that the resolution not only authorises all necessary means; it explicitly requests that member states provide support. | The motion moved was ‘that the House take note of the paper’. During the debate, the Leader of the Opposition, John Hewson, said that ‘we are committed as an Opposition to building a united national position on this issue’. But he was critical of the government for failing ‘to consult with the Opposition prior to its original decision to deploy Australian defence forces to the Gulf’. On 5 December 1990, in the House of Representatives, the question was resolved in the affirmative without division. On 4 December 1990, in the Senate, the question was resolved in the affirmative without division. | On 29 November 1990, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 678 (1990), which set 15 January 1991 as the deadline for an Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait. On 17 January 1991, Operation Desert Storm commenced when US and coalition forces began an air bombardment of Iraq that continued without respite until the war ended 43 days later. On 17 January 1991, Prime Minister Bob Hawke issued a statement announcing the participation of the Naval Task Force in armed action in the Gulf and the recall of parliament on 21 and 22 January 1991 to debate the decision. |
| Parliament was recalled on 21–22 January 1991 to debate the Gulf War. The Manager of Opposition Business, Wallace Fife, protested that, as there would not be a question time on either day, there was no opportunity to question the prime minister or ministers. On 21 January 1991 Prime Minister Bob Hawke addressed the House and stated: The decision to commit Australian armed forces to combat is of course one that constitutionally is the prerogative of the Executive. It is fitting, however, that I place on parliamentary record the train of events behind this decision. | The motion moved by Prime Minister Bob Hawke on 21 January 1991 stated, in part, that this House: … reaffirms its support for an on-going role for the United Nations in promoting world peace and the self-determination of nations …affirms its support forAustralia’s positive response to the request made by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 678 for support in implementing that Resolution; expresses its full confidence in, and support for, Australian forces serving with the UN-sanctioned multi-national forces in the Gulf; deplores Iraq’s widening of the conflict by its unprovoked attack upon Israel; and recognises … the need to intensify efforts to establish peace and stability in the Middle East, including a just resolution of the Palestinian issue and the continuing security of Israel, once the crisis in the Gulf is resolved. The Leader of the Opposition, John Hewson, said ‘… the Opposition parties strongly support this motion before the House’. On 22 January 1991, in the House of Representatives, the question was resolved in the affirmative without division. Member for North Sydney, Ted Mack, asked that his name be recorded as voting against the motion. On 22 January 1991, in the Senate, the question was resolved in the affirmative: ayes 59, noes 9. | On 27 February 1991 Iraqi forces had withdrawn from Kuwait and on 28 February 1991 Prime Minister Hawke announced military operations against Iraq had been suspended. |
Afghanistan 2001 to 2021 | No ministerial statement to parliament. | On 17 September 2001 Prime Minister John Howard moved an 8-part motion in the House of Representatives. Of note, points 6 and 7 of the motion stated: (6) Believes that the terrorist actions in New York City and Washington, DC, constitute an attack upon the United States of America within the meaning of Articles IV and V of the ANZUS Treaty. (7) Fully endorses the commitment of the Australian Government to support within Australia's capabilities United States-led action against those responsible for these tragic attacks. Leader of the Opposition, Kim Beazley, supported the motion and affirmed bipartisan support for the impending military response. Beazley noted: [j]oining the strong international coalition to fight terrorism wherever it threatens democratic and peaceful nations, as suggested by [US] Secretary Powell, is the right way to go’. On the same day the motion was moved in the House of Representatives, the question was resolved in the affirmative. In the Senate on 17 September 2001, the motion was also resolved in the affirmative. However, the Australian Democrats and the Australian Greens sought to amend parts 6 and 7 of the motion. | Coalition Government in power under Prime Minister John Howard. On 14 September 2001 Prime Minister John Howard announced the government’s intent to invoke Article IV of the ANZUS Treaty in response to the terrorist attacks against the US on 11 September 2001. At a press conference on 4 October 2001 Prime Minister John Howard announced Australia’s military commitment to the international coalition led by the US. On 7 October 2001, the US and allied nations commenced military operations against al-Qa‘ida and Taliban targets in Afghanistan. Federal Parliament was dissolved on 8October 2001. A federal election was held on 10 November 2001. The 40th Parliament met on 12 February 2002. The 200-strong Australian Special Forces Task Force deployed to Afghanistan from October 2001 and following 3 rotations, withdrew in November 2002. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led international coalition effort (known as the International Security Assistance Force – ISAF) was officially established on 20 December 2001 via United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386. Australian combat forces withdrew from Afghanistan at the end of 2002 and did not re-deploy until August 2005. |
| On 18 August 2005 the Minister for Defence, Robert Hill, responded to a Question without Notice on Australia’s contribution to Afghanistan. In his response, Hill recalled the prime minister’s 13July 2005 press conference about the deployment of a 150 strong Special Forces Task Group to Afghanistan, which would be increased to 190 personnel. On 9 August 2006 Prime Minister John Howard informed the House via a ministerial statement that the Australian Government had decided to send: … an additional 150 troops of the ADF to reinforce the reconstruction task force and to provide enhanced force protection. | The 9 August 2006 motion received bipartisan support. | On 13 July 2005, Prime Minister John Howard announced at a press conference that Australia would deploy approximately 150 personnel for 12 months to undertake security tasks like those of the 2001–02 deployment to Afghanistan. Consequently, Australia re-entered the Afghanistan conflict in August 2005. Prior to the re-deployment, Australia had an exceedingly small non-combat presence in Afghanistan. From 2005–06, the authorised strength began to increase, eventually peaking at around 1,550 personnel from 2009 to 2012. The parliament was prorogued in October 2007 and a federal election held on 24November. |
| On 19 October 2010, Prime Minister Julia Gillard presented a ministerial statement to parliament entitled No safe haven. The statement allowed the first parliamentary debate on Australia’s contribution to the Afghanistan war and explained: … why Australia is involved in Afghanistan; what the international community is seeking to achieve and how; what Australia’s contribution is to this international effort—our mission; what progress is being made; and what the future is of our commitment in Afghanistan’. | Minister for Defence Stephen Smith moved the following motion which was agreed to: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended to allow Mr S. F. Smith (Minister for Defence), Mr Robert, Mr Rudd (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Ms J. Bishop (Deputy Leader of the Opposition), Mr O’Connor (Minister for Home Affairs), Mr Keenan, Mr Wilkie and Mr Bandt to speak on the motion for 20 minutes and for all other members to speak on the motion for 15 minutes. As part of the debate, the Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott, stated: It is right that every member of parliament should now have the chance to reflect on Australia’s mission in Afghanistan. War should never be popular, but it can sometimes be right. Our job is not to persuade people to like the work our armed forces are doing, but they need to understand it and be able to support it. Winning hearts and minds in Australia is no less important than winning them in Afghanistan if this mission is to succeed. Our challenge this week is to be just as effective and professional in our tasks as our soldiers are in theirs. | ALP Government in power under Prime Minister Rudd from December 2007. On 24 June 2010, Kevin Rudd lost the support of his party and Julia Gillard became prime minister. A federal election was held on 21 August 2010, which resulted in a hung parliament. Under the leadership of Julia Gillard, the ALP formed a minority government with support from 3 independents and one member of the Greens. A parliamentary debate on Afghanistan was one of the agreements made between the ALP and the Greens to allow the ALP to form government. |
Iraq 2003 to 2009 | On 4 February 2003 Prime Minister John Howard delivered a ministerial statement to explain the ‘government’s belief that the world community must deal decisively with Iraq’. On 18 March 2003, Prime Minister John Howard moved a motion that included endorsement of: … the Government's decision to commit Australian Defence Force elements in the region to the international coalition of military forces prepared to enforce Iraq's compliance with its international obligations under successive resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, with a view to restoring international peace and security in the Middle East region. | The motion moved on 4 February 2003 was ‘that the House take note of the paper’. Attempts by the Opposition and independents to move motions on Iraq were not successful. Prime Minister John Howard’s motion of 18March 2003 prompted heated debate and divisions on the motion and proposed amendments by the Opposition. During the debate, Leader of the Opposition Simon Crean said ‘… Labor opposes your commitment to war. We will argue against it, and we will call for the troops to be returned’. In the House of Representatives on 20March 2003 the motion was agreed to in the affirmative: 80 ayes to 63 noes. On the same date in the Senate, an amended motion, which, in part, opposed the decision of the Australian Cabinet to commit military forces to an attack on Iraq without UN resolution authorising force and called for Australian military forces to be withdrawn and returned home, was resolved in the affirmative: ayes 37, noes 32. The Opposition, Australian Democrats, Australian Greens, and an independent senator supported the amended motion. | Coalition Government in power under Prime Minister John Howard. On 10 January 2003, the prime minister foreshadowed at a press conference, ‘some forward deployment’ of elements of the ADF (Australian Defence Force) to the Middle East. On 22 January 2003, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced the government’s decision to forward deploy HMAS Kanimbla, lead elements of a Special Forces Task Group and an RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) reconnaissance team to the Middle East. The pre-deployment of Australia military elements to the Middle East commenced on 23 January 2003, known as Operation Bastille. On 13 March 2003, Prime Minister John Howard addressed the National Press Club where he presented the case for disarming Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. On 17 March 2003, the prime minister advised at a press conference that federal Cabinet would meet that evening to discuss Iraq and Australia’s military participation. Journalists asked about the role of parliament in the decision to join the ‘coalition of the willing’. In response, the prime minister said that ‘I have no desire at all to deny Parliament the full opportunity of debating this’. On 17 March 2003 US President George W. Bush set a 48-hour deadline for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq with his sons or face war. Once the deadline had passed on 19 March 2003 the US-led Coalition of the Willing commenced offensive air strikes against key Iraqi leadership positions. Prime Minister John Howard announced at a morning press conference that Australian military forces had ‘commenced combat and combat support operations’.Australia’s combat mission in Iraq, known as Operation Falconer, involved around 2,000 ADF personnel from all 3 services. |
Iraq 2014Syria 2015 to 2020 | On 1 September 2014 Prime Minister Tony Abbott delivered a ministerial statement to parliament on the situation in Iraq and Syria. The prime minister noted: So far, [Australia] have met requests for humanitarian relief and for logistical support. So far, there has been no request for military action itself. Should such a request come from theObamaadministration, and be supported by the government of Iraq, it would be considered against these criteria: Is there a clear and achievable overall objective? Is there a clear and proportionate role for Australian forces? Have all the risks been properly assessed? And is there an overall humanitarian objective in accordance with Australia’s national interests?. On 16 September 2015, the Minister for Defence, Kevin Andrews, delivered a ministerial statement updating the parliament on Australia’s military operations in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and broader operations in the Middle East. | The prime minister’s statement on 1September 2014 responded to the ALP’s request for a statement to parliament. The Opposition supported the government’s response to the situation in Iraq at that time. A motion was moved to allow further statements in response to the prime minister’s statement. Further statements were made in the Federation Chamber on 3, 4 and 22 September 2014. Most statements supported the government’s actions at that time, but some cautioned against Australia’s involvement in any escalation of military action. On the same day as the prime minister’s 9September 2015 press conference announcing the expansion of Australia’s military operations into Syria, the Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, proposed a discussion in parliament on Syria as a matter of public importance, which was supported. | Coalition Government in power under Prime Minister Tony Abbott. On 8 August 2014, following a request from the Iraqi Government, US-led international coalition military operations commenced against Daesh in Iraq. On 14 August 2014, the Coalition Government announced the commencement of Australian military operations in Iraq. Initially the mission delivered humanitarian aid to civilians. By mid-September 2014, the RAAF’s Air Task Group (ATG) had deployed to the Middle East ‘awaiting government approval to commence air strikes against Daesh in Iraq’. In October 2014, at the request of the Iraqi Government, the ATG had commenced regular air strikes against Daesh targets in Iraq. Australia’s contribution also involved a Special Operations Task Group. All elements of the mission were codenamed Operation Okra. On 3 March 2015, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the ADF’s contribution to the international Building Partner Capacity mission in Iraq. This involved around 300 ADF personnel training and advising Iraqi forces, and was known as Task Group Taji. On 9 September 2015, the Abbott Government announced Australian air operations in Iraq would extend to Syria. |