The Turnbull government has resisted pressure from the United States to increase Australia’s military commitment to the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
But it has signalled it is open to providing further humanitarian support to the troubled region and would also increase the number of Australian defence force personnel in the anti-Isis coalition headquarters.
A spokesman for the defence minister, Marise Payne, said Australia had considered a request from her American counterpart, Ash Carter, “in light of the substantial contributions we are already making to train Iraqi security forces and to the air campaign”.
“The US has asked 40 or so other countries, including European countries, to consider expanded contributions to the coalition, following the attacks in Paris,” the spokesman said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The government has advised Secretary Carter that our existing contributions will continue.”
The spokesman said Australia was well placed to make an important contribution to command roles, and would increase the number of ADF personnel in coalition headquarters from 20 to 30.
“Our aircraft in the Middle East are available to provide additional airlift support to benefit coalition humanitarian efforts,” he said.
“The Australian government is also considering providing further humanitarian support for Syria and Iraq in the coming months.”
The government would, however, keep its our contribution under “ongoing review in consultation with our coalition partners”.
Malcolm Turnbull is due to travel to Washington DC next week to meet with Barack Obama on his first official visit to the US since ousting Tony Abbott as prime minister. The fight against Isis is expected to be high on the agenda.
