The limits to military power

Several years ago a prominent observer of Middle East politics suggested America and its allies stay out of the growing Sunni–Shia conflict, but if they felt compelled to get involved, then arm whichever side was losing. In other words, with the Saudis, Egyptians and Turks increasingly involved via their proxies on one side and Iran via its proxies on the other, this is not our fight. Saving innocent civilians and preventing one side from overwhelming the other and committing a holocaust is as much as we can aspire to achieve.

But you won't hear any of this from the government. All it wants to talk about is the risk of terrorism and how killing a few ISIS in Iraq will reduce that risk in Australia. And not wanting to be seen as soft on terrorism, Labor compliantly agrees.

For that reason I support a parliamentary vote on foreign deployments of Australian soldiers - if not beforehand then at the earliest opportunity thereafter. An informed parliamentary debate would be a service both to the nation and the soldiers we put in harm's way.

Committing our armed forces to conflict is one of the most significant decisions a government can make. With the justification for engaging in Iraq so unconvincing, ultimate responsibility for such a serious issue should rest with Parliament, not the Prime Minister or Cabinet.