The Afghan War - Sleeper Election Issue
The Afghan war is a sleeper election issue. Australians are troubled by this war. In recent weeks I have found many more people wanting to talk about why the troops should be brought home. Today's tragic news that another young Australian soldier has been killed in that war will get more people thinking.
Public opinion is already way ahead of our conservative political leaders. Depending on which poll you read, either 54 per cent (Lowy) or 61 per cent (Essential Media) of the population oppose continuing military involvement in Afghanistan and want Australian troops withdrawn. Political ramifications of the worldwide growing opposition to the war are already playing out. The defeat of the Dutch government followed by withdrawal of its troops and the resignation of Germany's president have been linked to the war. In Australia the Greens are the only parliamentary calling for Australian troops to be withdrawn. I am often asked about the Greens plans for post war Afghanistan. As the history of this region demonstrates this war cannot be won our collective challenge should be how we assist Afghanis to consolidate peace and justice in a democratic society. Transferring the budget for Australia’s military activities in Afghanistan to the domestic needs of this ravaged country should be our priority. Providing assistance for the rebuilding of infrastructure, boosting development aid and targetting programs for women and children would be of much greater benefit in reducing terrorist influence in the region. A comprehensive peace agreement between ethnic factions and allowing Afghans to share in future oil pipeline royalties are critical factors to the stability of this region. There are many great initiatives already underway in Afghanistan, and one delightful way to check out the positive potential waiting to bloom in this country is the latest film of Gary Caganoff, The Garden at the End of the World. It depicts the lives of the tens of thousands of widows and orphans impacted by the war in Afghanistan. Meanwhile Australia’s conservative leaders are still locked into a pro-war position. As this debate hots up its worth noting how careful Prime Minister Julia Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott are to avoid drawing any links between Afghani refugees and the war. The human rights lawyer, Julian Burnside QC, has challenged Prime Minister Gillard to publicly acknowledge that Australian troops are fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, and that most of the Afghani asylum seekers arriving here are fleeing the Taliban. Julian's point is very important. If this connection could be made in the public's mind it would help explain to many why so many Afghanis are seeking asylum in our country. This is now Australia's longest war. That dubious honour was obtained in June just passed when the previous war effort in Vietnam was passed. As of today 17 Australians have died. It's time to bring the troops home. US, NATO and our troops can't resolve Afghan's social or political issues by waging a cruel and apparently endless war. The Greens will continue to call for the withdrawal of Australian troops.
