SAS to feel the strain: Tinley
Retired army major and now Willagee MLA Peter Tinley says he is concerned about the effect an open-ended mission to Iraq would have on WA's Special Air Service Regiment troopers and their families so soon after a long commitment in Afghanistan.
Mr Tinley's remarks came as Fremantle Labor MHR Melissa Parke exposed cracks in the bipartisan support for Prime Minister Tony Abbott by accusing him of escalating Australia's commitment beyond humanitarianism.
Mr Tinley, Australia's lead tactical planner of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, said the Federal Government was being "a little bit cute" describing the mission as chiefly humanitarian and accused it of delivering ammunition into the hands of Islamic State.
"That is not humanitarian security," the Labor MP said yesterday.
"That is participation in the conflict. I'm concerned that in our case in WA, the SAS once again are being called upon to contribute significantly off the back of a 10-year war in Afghanistan."
Ms Parke said: "I'm not saying we shouldn't go in and protect civilians but when we are talking about an open-ended commitment to war, then we need to put the brakes on."
