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Question Time and the Afghanistan Debate Live

Tory Maguire

by Tory Maguire

19 Oct 01:30pm

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Filed under: Afghanistan, Parliament, Politics, Question Time

27 comments

Bob Brown wants us to pull out of Afghanistan, Alexander Downer says the time has come to negotiate with the Taliban, and both major parties have so far stuck to the line our mission there is train the Afghan National Army in Oruzgan and nothing more (although the Coalition has argued for increased resources).

After Question Time in the House of Representatives this afternoon the historic debate on our involvement in the Afghanistan War will start with opening addresses from the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. Join us here from 2pm for live coverage of Question Time, followed directly by the commencement of the debate.

Most commented

27 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • The Badger says:

      12:39pm | 19/10/10

      Not everyone supports the troops Tory!

      Reply

    • Soldier says:

      02:09pm | 19/10/10

      Why not?
      Honestly, why not?

    • The Badger says:

      02:25pm | 19/10/10

      Because,

      People on this post said they didn’t when this subject was last broached.

      Porkchop says:
      I don’t support the troops. Afghanistan, like Iraq before it, has nothing to do with our national, financial or moral interests. In general our military - in fact our entire defence structure . is an appalling and vain waste of money
      Then Leto said:

      I agree. These men and women aren’t fighting for me.

      As to why, you’ll have to ask them.

    • Eric says:

      02:31pm | 19/10/10

      Some people are just bad people, Soldier.

    • Ted N says:

      03:09pm | 19/10/10

      Is that Alexander Downer from the Liberal mob that where trying to tell us this would be a short war… then a war that could last decades? Now he wants to negotiate? Thank god these confused buffoons weren’t defending us from the Japanese in WW2!!! Too busy looking at themselves on TV to come up with a decent stategy..

      The bottom line is John Howard and unpatriotic mates (and Labor was pretty useless too admittedly)  took more of our liberties and civil rights than the Al Quaida did. Fact. A war for freedom that we lost, years ago.

      Having served in Vietnam and seen the sociopathic political lies and apathy towards returning soldiers and a staggering amount of suicide and mental illness (now documented in Iraq vets in the US), I trust Alexander will be as passionate about looking after our Diggers as he was to send them into harms way. Lest he forgot. Again.

    • Eric says:

      04:02pm | 19/10/10

      See, Soldier?

      Like I said, some people - Badger, Porkchop, Leto - are just bad people.

    • Josh says:

      09:06am | 20/10/10

      I support the troops but I don’t support the Government sending them there.  Our troops have no need to be there and it is a waste of time, money and other resources.  We have been there for almost 10 years already and haven’t accomplished anything.

      It is a pointless, dick measuring war, and that is why I don’t support it.

    • PaulB says:

      09:12am | 20/10/10

      My support of the tropps takes the form of wanting them brought home from this pointless and destructive exercise, and for them to be used for the defence of OUR country, not to fight America and Israel’s stupid wars.

    • Sven Gali says:

      12:58pm | 19/10/10

      Alexander Downer is an excellent Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs. Who will they find to replace him when he retires ?

      Reply

    • The Badger says:

      01:01pm | 19/10/10

      Julie Bishop?
      she excels as a foreign minister

    • Sven Gali says:

      02:13pm | 19/10/10

      Fine suggestion, Badger. I’m sure she’d be just as good, when the time comes.

    • Ted N says:

      05:07pm | 19/10/10

      Alexander Downer needs to be charged with War Crimes for his involvement in the Iraq war first. Replace him with anyone - we couldn’t do much worse.

    • David says:

      01:36pm | 19/10/10

      I support the troops… that’s why I want to bring them home.

      Reply

    • Soldier says:

      02:12pm | 19/10/10

      Than how about asking them if they want to come home?

    • Laura says:

      01:47pm | 19/10/10

      Whats with Stephen Smiths hand movements?

      Reply

    • Brad Coward says:

      05:56pm | 19/10/10

      The Spin Dr’s have told him that the average dork in the street trusts pollies who move their hands about.  He saw how the advice worked for Julia.

    • GGibson says:

      01:51pm | 19/10/10

      Mr. Downer…eh? One of my pastors tells a tale of an Australian school teacher he knew who went Indonesia on a school teachers excursion and there in one of the classrooms was a map of Australia with all of the land across the continent blacked in as SOUTH IRIAN. As the Aussie teacher was leaving the classroom he wanted a get a photo of the class, so he positioned the children so he could likewise photograph the map. Which he did. When he got back to Australia he rang up ASIO and told them about the map and the very next day ASIO sent two agents around to the teachers place and confiscated the film. The man who ordered the ASIO mission to retrieve the film, so the general public wouldnt hear about the map, according to the story, was a young Alexander Downer. It might just be that Alexander isnt as strong or open as he ought to be.

      Reply

    • Max Vaunted says:

      02:42pm | 19/10/10

      And you proof for this slur against Downer is…eh? Anyway, the public now knows about the alleged map thanks to you, so not much of a secret…eh? Thing is, GGibson, certain things such as those that might compromise missions and international relations can never be public, and that’s the way it is. Those of whatever political persuasion who have to make those sorts of calls on the day are usually just doing their best for their country, nothing too sinister really.

    • GGibson says:

      04:42pm | 19/10/10

      I really meant all of the land north of Townsville, QLD as being SOUTH IRIAN.
      Dear Max.
      There were also maps on Chinese classroom walls showing Australia as NEW SOUTH CHINA. Wouldnt the public have wanted to have known? I would have. Maybe even to petition for the kicking out of Chinese diplomats.

    • Zeta says:

      05:07pm | 19/10/10

      ASIO falls under the purview of the Attorney General, not the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is the Minister responsible for ASIS - who are forbidden by law from operating on Australian soil since the Hope Royal Commission.

    • TimB says:

      05:26pm | 19/10/10

      That sounds suspiciously like the Chaser bit from a few years ago.

      I agree wiith Max, prove your claims please.

    • Robert Smissen, rural SA, God's own country says:

      10:26pm | 19/10/10

      Would you like to by a nice foil hat? ? MAAAATE! ! Find something a little softer, the stuff you are doing at the moment is messing with your mind.

    • Keith Hammaermsith says:

      03:27pm | 19/10/10

      Why does no one ask the troops how they feel?  Most actually want to server over seas, thats what they are trained for,  they are soldiers after all in an ALL volunteer army.

      Reply

    • Zeta says:

      05:08pm | 19/10/10

      It should never matter how the troops feel. If we start taking their advice as to where to invade, we’d always be invading somewhere, because they get paid more for going overseas.

      In our part of the pacific, government policy dictated by frontline combat forces are called juntas.

    • Lisa says:

      10:51am | 20/10/10

      Zeta, just because they get paid more doesn’t mean thats the reason they want to go on a deployment. most believe is is their JOB to assist in this country whether it be overseas TRAINING other defence forces or protecting those who are training the others.

      Australia has the best defence force, we mentor the US and Bristish Army, why should we limit the amazing effort (most of) these guys put into being the best they can be. Why shouldn’t we share the skills with other defence forces and why should one country get training and not another?

    • acotrel says:

      06:19am | 20/10/10

      My personal preference would be to bring our troops home.  I just don’t see how it can be done? We cannot simply walk away and leave Afghanistan to the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

      Reply
 
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