Opposition defence spokesman James Paterson says he supports Australia’s decision to deploy military assets to the Middle East, and agrees it will not undermine the nation’s ability to defend its own security interests.
The Coalition has backed the Government’s decision to send military support to the United Arab Emirates, with Senator Paterson saying the move serves Australia’s national interest and provides an opportunity for the Australian Defence Force to “learn the lessons of modern warfare”.
“When your friends ask you for help. If you’re able to help, you should help. And there’s no question that the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states are our friends,” he said.
“It’s in Australia’s national interest or the waterways around the Gulf, and to the airspace above the goal to be cleared as soon as possible. If they can be clear, that will allow the resumption of the flow of oil through the Gulf and Australians to leave the Gulf who wish to come home on regular scheduled commercial flights.“
“Finally, this is an opportunity for us to learn the lessons of modern warfare … To be assisting in the interdiction of those drones and missiles is an opportunity to learn about this modern form of conflict and to bring those lessons home.“