Australia Greens propose debate - Australia should withdraw all troops from Afghanistan: ALP and LIberals ban debate, in 30 to 6 vote

First 14 of 14 paragraphs shown 2 Feb 2010, Senator Bob Brown, Leader, Australian Greens, moved a Senate motion for debate on the involvement and deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan. The motion for debate was voted out by the Labor and Liberal.
Debate banned: The Senate did not agree to a motion moved by the Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator Bob Brown) to suspend standing orders to enable a motion relating to Afghanistan to have precedence over other business.
1,550 Aussie troops in Afghanistan: Australia has some 1,550 Defence Force personnel currently in Afghanistan.
Poated in Oruzgan province in the south: Brown said their primary commitment was in Oruzgan province in the south, which was very volatile and indeed dangerous.
Defence actions:
- troops trained the Afghan army;
- conducted security operations;
- combated the Taliban;
- constructed and restore civilian infrastructure such as schools, waste management facilities and medical facilities.
11 Australian deaths: Besides the 11 Australian Defence Force personnel who have given their lives in the service of this country, there have been many injuries. On an international basis, 1,600 military personnel have been killed since 2001. That includes almost 1,000 Americans. The number killed each year is rapidly climbing: there were 232 killed in 2007, 295 in 2008 and 520 last year.
Government response: Senator Faulkner (New South Wales, Minister for Defence) said “In response to any call for Australia to withdraw our troops, all I can say is that the job is not yet done. Abandoning it half-finished is not my idea of responsible government”.
Australia increases troops: “...earlier last year, the government in fact increased our troop commitment to Afghanistan to around 1,550. That increase included more ADF mentors and trainers for the Afghan National Army, with the express intent of increasing the number of Afghan National Army trainees to ultimately boost the security forces. Our efforts will help to bring Oruzgan province closer to the point where the ANA can provide security there.
Defence Department will answer questions: “Afghanistan has also, I might say, been canvassed in detail during the Chief of the Defence Forces opening statements at Senate estimates. Here the CDF, the secretary of defence and other departmental and ADF representatives are ready, willing and available to answer any questions about the issue from senators. There will be a further opportunity for debate at Senate estimates, next week.
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