Full survey
responses
August 13 2002
The Sunday Age
asked all federal Members of the House of Representatives and Senators the
following question by email: "Would you support Australian military
involvement in a pre-emptive US-led strike on Iraq?" These
were the responses received.
Dick Adams (ALP, Member
for Lyons): I would vote against it in Caucus
Michael Danby (ALP, Member
for Melbourne Ports): The ALP has a long history of opposing the proliferation
of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Labor
supports the insistence of the UN Secretary General Kofi
Anan that Iraq must accept the
new strong inspection regime to identify and destroy Bahgdad's
terror weapons and missiles. As former Peace Ambasador
and Chief UN Weapons Inspector Richard Butler said, all diplomatic avenues must
be pursued. If and when such diplomatic means have been exhausted then it may
be necessary for Australia to consider
action in conjunction with the USA. However given
Australia's already large deployment of the SAS in Afghanistan and our widley acclaimed Peace keeping mission to East Timor of a
major part of the Autralian army (on a rotational
basis) it is unlikely that Australia could or should stretch its military
resources any further by sending substantial ground forces to Iraq.
Senator Brian
Harradine (Independent, Tasmania): A number of
the eight principles for a just war and its conduct have not yet been made out.
Senator Penny
Wong, (ALP, South Australia): No, I do not.
Involving Australian citizens in any military action ought
only be considered if it is unequivocally in the national interest to do so.
Julia Gillard, (ALP, Member for Lalor): I would not support such involvement but
dealing with this issue is more complex that a quick email response. I agree
with the position outlined by Simon Crean and the
conditions on Australian involvement which he has defined.
Bob Sercombe, (ALP, Member for Maribyrnong): In the light of presently available
information, I do not support Australian military involvement in a pre-emptive
US led strike on Iraq. The UN should
first endorse any military action against Iraq. The
international community's priority should be to ensure getting weapons
inspectors into Iraq.
Senator Andrew
Bartlett (Democrats, Queensland): My answer to
your question is No.
Tanya Plibersek, (ALP, Member
for Sydney): No. I would not support such
involvement.
Senator Jan
McLucas (ALP, Queensland): The current
situation does not warrant a pre-emptive strike. The Prime Minister and the
Foreign Minister are seemingly leading international commentary on this matter
and at the moment are at the forefront of inflaming the situation with Iraq. This is not to
say that the situation in Iraq is acceptable.
It is not. However, there are real alternatives to the popularist
posturing that the Government is pursuing. There needs to be a real attempt by
Western communities to deliver a solution that will not involve the loss of
lives - lives of ordinary people.
Sid Sidebottom (ALP, Member
for Braddon, NW Tasmania): Not without compelling evidence of: Iraq's complicity
in launching terrorist attacks on the US and other allies of Australia; of a
rapid escalation of Iraq's nuclear, chemical or biological weapons capability
or WMD capabilities; and the exhaustion by the international community of all
reasonable diplomatic options available under the mandate for UNMOVIC and the
implementation of its WMD mandate. There must be time for informed
parliamentary and community debate rather than rambo rhetoric and blind allegiance to an alliance
system. If Australia was to diplomatically
support US military
action, we could only provide limited military assets to any co-alition operations and these should be limited to the usual
levels of intelligence co-operation and broader logistical support.
Gavan O'Connor (ALP, Member
for Corio): The Prime Minister has so far failed to make out a clear case for
involving Australian forces in a direct attack on Iraq. While I
support Australia
's military contribution to the war on terrorism in Afghanistan, the question
of whether that commitment should be extended to participating in a direct
military attack on Iraq I will be
guided by the following principles: I do not believe the case justifying a
direct attack on Iraq has yet been
made. Any evidence directly linking the Government of Iraq with the events of
September 11 should be made public. Any evidence directly linking Iraq with the
provision of weapons of mass destruction to international terrorist
organisations ought to be made public. Every diplomatic effort should be made
to enforce the United Nations resolutions relating to identification,
monitoring, verification and destruction of any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq's possession. I
welcome the Prime Minister's announcement that parliament will be recalled to
debate Australia's military
involvement in any action against Iraq. All the facts
must be laid on the table and fully debated before any decision is made to send
Australian troops off to fight in Iraq.
Senator Sue
Mackay, (ALP, Tasmania): No, I would
not support Australian military involvement in a pre-emptive US-led strike on Iraq as I do not
believe a strong enough case has been made out by the US at this stage
for such drastic action.
Kelly Hoare (ALP, Member
for Charlton): I do not believe the case can be made as would warrant a direct
military attack on Iraq. There is no
public evidence available directly linking the Government of Iraq with the
events of September 11 or a rapid escalation in Iraq's nuclear, chemical or
biological weapons capability. I welcome the PM's announcement that the
Parliament will be recalled to debate Australian military involvement in any
action against Iraq. Iraq has a deeply
disturbing record on the question of building and using weapons of mass
destruction. Iraq deserves to be
condemned for its continued refusal to allow the return of UN weapons
inspectors. However, we are not yet in possession of evidence that there has
been a rapid escalation in Iraq's WMD
capabilities since 1998. Nor have are we yet in possession of public evidence
directly linking Iraq with the
provision of WMD to international terrorist organisations. The international
community should exhaust all diplomatic options available under the mandate for
UNMOVIC (the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission) created by
UNSC Res 1284 of 17 December
1999. Specifically, UNMOVIC should be given a reasonable but finite
period within which to enforce its mandate in Iraq on monitoring,
verification and destruction of any remaining WMD or WMD-related materials and
delivery systems.
Senator Natasha
Stott Despoja (Democrats, South Australia): No, I would
not support Australian military involvement in a pre-emptive US-led strike on Iraq. "When
Parliament returns, the Senate will vote on a Democrat motion opposing Australia's participation
in a first strike. "The Democrats oppose the use
of a first strike generally. A first strike by the United States would undermine
international law and set a bad precedent. "I welcome the Prime Minister's
agreement for Parliament to debate military action against Iraq, in line with a
Democrat motion passed in June. "This must be a
comprehensive debate and not one based on shallow rhetoric." (Before
Parliament rose in June, the Senate passed a Democrat motion requesting the
Government put the issue of participation in a war before Parliament at the
first opportunity. The motion was passed with ALP support.)
Jennie George MP (ALP, Member
for Throsby): I would not support a pre-emptive US led strike on Iraq. The matter is
best left in the hands of the United Nations to achieve acceptable outcomes in
accordance with earlier decisions in relation to weapons of mass destruction.
Senator Kim Carr (ALP, Victoria): I do not
support the use of Australian troops in an attack on Iraq. There would
have to be a compelling reason for politicians to risk the lives of young men
and women in our defence forces in the invasion of another country. I have not
seen any such compelling reason.
John Murphy MP, (ALP, Member
for Lowe): No.
Senator Meg Lees (Independent, South Australia): Absolutely
not!
Baldwin, Bob (Liberal,
Member for Paterson): Yes, but on Australia's terms, after
discussion in the Parliament.
Graham Edwards, (ALP, Member for Cowan): In my view a committment
that requires members of the Australian Defence Force to put their lives on the
line requires a response more considered than a mere popularity poll.
Senator Claire
Moore, (ALP, Queensland): Naturally, this question is being considered
by the ALP.Simon Crean has
issued our position and Kevin Rudd and Chris Evans, the Shadow Ministers are
regularly responding to media and Government. At this stage, there is not the
case for such a monumental step.
Mal Washer (Liberal,
Member for Moore): Sorry, Dr
Washer is overseas at the moment so is unable to respond to your survey.
Senator Sandy
Macdonald (Liberal, Queensland): Senator Sandy
Macdonald has a policy of not responding to surveys and questionnaires, no
matter what the issue, and for obvious reasons.
Kelvin Thomson
MP (ALP, Member for Wills): Not unless new information is made
available which would justify such an attack.
Senator Shayne
Murphy, (Independent, Tasmania
): I am of the view that there must be full parliamentary debate
before making any commitments on Australia's behalf. I
support a "proceed with caution" approach along the lines of that
expressed by United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.
Craig Emerson (ALP, Member
for Rankin): I do not support Australian military involvement in an American
pre-emptive strike against Iraq. The issue should
be dealt with by the United Nations rather than the US making its own
decision and Australia simply
following the US into Iraq.
Harry Jenkins (ALP, Member
for Scullin): I am quite happy with Simon Crean's
position on behalf of the Opposition outlining the need for further debate on
this question.
Corcoran, Ann (ALP, Member
for Isaacs): Not at this stage, we must first use all diplomatic and peaceful
means available to address the situation. Conflict should be a last resort.
Duncan Kerr (ALP, Member
for Denison): I do not believe the case has
yet been made for a military strike on Iraq nor for
Australian involvement in any such direct attack .
Senator John
Faulkner (ALP, NSW): Senator Faulkner supports the FPLP Caucus position on
Iraq.
Joel Fitzgibbon (ALP, Member
for Hunter): Only when all diplomatic options have been exhausted and a
sufficient case for action is put to the Parliament including a link between Iraq and terrorism
or a rapid build-up of weapons of mass destruction.
Senator Nick
Bolkus (ALP, South Australia): I strongly
oppose any action which does not have the endorsement of the UN security Council. We should not be "spurring on " the Hawks in the US administration,but should be counselling in the interests
of peace. President Bush's "Rambo" behaviour is of concern to many Australians,with good cause, as it
is of growing concern to people of many countries. Australia should detirmine it's interests,and prioritise them over the views of Republican
"Hawks". The Middle East has too many
escalating problems at present without a precipitate attack on Iraq.
Brendan O'Connor, (ALP, Member for Burke): In the current circumstances I would
oppose Australian military involvement in a US led pre-emptive
strike on Iraq. It would be
reckless, irresponsible not to mention subservient to commence a war without
just cause, and full public(including parliamentary)
debate to determine the matter. Recently, the Government has made reprensible,hawk-like comments to
serve a domestic agenda. The Government has belatedly acceded to the
Opposition's demand that the Parliament consider the matter. If a war is to be
declared it should be determined by Australians in the interests of Australia and not by the
decision-makers in Washington."
Senator Len
Harris, (Pauline Hanson's One Nation, Qld): The first thing that should
be done is to survey the Australian people to see if they approve before we
commit Troops, Secondly carry out an audit of the capabilities of the remaining
Forces to protect Australia if more ADF personal and equipment was sent to
Iraq, Australia has been spending less than 2.8% of GDP (Prior EastTimore) and it should have been 3.5% or better, and
there are concerns now of our ability to identify and extinguish a terrorist attack
let alone one from a aggressive invader. I am spending this week with the ADF
at Lombadina on the Dampier Peninsula assisting with
the construction of 5 new homes in the Lombadina
Community so my comments are made from the coal face to say. I am sitting in
one of their converted shipping containers that they use as Head Quarters to
answer you're e-mail after mixing concrete for a slab at the end of the house
that the people will be able to use for an outside cooking area and also
working to prepare one of the houses for painting. A great deal of consulting
has taken place with the locals to ensure that the houses are built to suit the
local's way of life, not just building homes that we think they should have. the skills of the army tradesmen and apprentices is
extremely high and their dedication is a credit to the ADF.
Senator Lyn
Allison, (Democrats, Victoria): I most certainly do not support Australia's involvement
in a pre-emptive US-led strike on Iraq. I don't
support any country taking first strike action. In the case of Iraq it think it would be dangerous, destabilising and probably no
more effective than previous military action in removing Saddam Hussein.
Senator John
Cherry (Democrats, Qld): No, Australia should act
within the rules of the United Nations. Collective military action should be as
authorised by the United Nations.
Senator Kerry
Nettle, (Australian Greens, NSW): The answer is No.
Harry Quick (ALP, Member
for Franklin): Thanks for the opportunity! I
totally oppose Australian military involvement in a pre-emptive US-led strike
on Iraq. President
Bush's zealotry and desire to be seen as saviour of
the Free World, will lead to further world political turmoil, untold human
suffering and an unimagineable amount of money being
given to the American industrial war machine.
Senator Brian
Greig, (Democrats, WA): I vote NO.
Jill Hall (ALP, Member
for Shortland): No.
This story was found at:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/08/13/1029113919519.html
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