Abbott’s Iraq trip designed to boost his political ratings

Media Statement
5.1.15

Abbott’s Iraq trip designed to boost his political ratings rather than Diggers’ morale – bring the troops home: Senator Lambie

Independent Senator for Tasmania Jacqui Lambie has called on Australia’s Prime Minister Abbott to support her call to withdraw all Australian troops, pilots and aircraft from Iraq / Middle East - and to direct the money saved on the overseas deployment to delivering a fair pay increase for all members of the ADF.

“While Mr Abbott is happy to spend more than $360M a year on another overseas military deployment to the Middle East most Australians, including many Tasmanians, are not happy with this situation. Especially when most of our defence experts now tell us - because of the United States’ current minimal contribution in military hardware and ground forces - we have no chance of winning a war against the Islamic extremists / savages in Iraq and Syria.” said Senator Lambie.

“At best Mr Abbott’s $360m p/a fight against the Islamic savages in Iraq may result in a stalemate – while our Diggers are placed in danger and denied a fair pay increase, which would only cost $121M p/a. So the solution is simple. Pull out of a fight in the Middle East no one, (including the US) is fair dinkum about. Bring our troops back home. Then grant all members of the ADF a fair pay rise (which at least keeps track with inflation) by using the money saved on a now futile military contribution in Iraq.” said Senator Lambie.

“Mr Abbott has all these facts before him. He didn’t need to make the secret trip to Iraq. It’s clearly a trip designed to boost his political ratings, rather than our troops’ morale. I can’t imagine any Australian Diggers’ spirits being boosted after having their photo taken with, or listening to a politician who has denied them a fair pay rise and delivered them an effective pay cut.” said Senator Lambie.

“I hope that Mr Abbott, when he met the new Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi at least took the time to ask him about his countries’ finances and whether the Iraqi government could afford to compensate Australia for the cost of our latest military deployment.” said Senator Lambie.

According to the internationally respected team at the Economist Magazine, Iraq is one of five rich Middle Eastern oil countries, which have made some of the worlds’ largest profits or surpluses. Iraq's official balance sheets, despite the nightly images on our TV screens prove it's a very wealthy country with plenty of spare cash – now boosted by Mt Abbott’s extra $5m of Australian Foreign Aid.

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Indeed the Economist’s Pocket World in Figures 2015 Edition shows Iraq enjoyed a surplus in 2012 of US $29.5B while in the same year Australia made a loss or deficit of US $64.5B. Iraq's government may be dysfunctional, but its leaders have access to plenty of cash. Why then couldn’t Mr Abbott ask Iraq’s government to contribute to Australia’s $360M military deployment instead of giving an extra $5m?

Why should the Australian public have to pay for a futile fight in the Middle East, when our official terror alert and recent terrorist attack proves we haven’t dealt properly with the Islamic extremists / savages living amongst us?” said Senator Lambie.

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