A REPORT that Tony Abbott raised a plan to send 3500 Australian ground troops to Iraq to confront ISIS has been denied by Defence chiefs.
Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin and the Secretary of the Department of Defence Dennis Richardson said today the idea was not raised formally or informally with them.
“At no point has the Prime Minister raised that idea with the ADF and/or the Department of Defence, formally or informally, directly or indirectly,” said Air Chief Marshal Binskin and Secretary Richardson.
The Prime Minister later denied he had participated in any discussions on deploying troops to Iraq.
Asked by Oppositon Leader Bill Shorten in question time whether he “ever participated in any discussions where a unilateral deployment of Australian troops to Iraq was considered” the Prime Minister responded with a resounding no.
“No I havent,” Mr Abbott said.
The Weekend Australian reported on Saturday that the plan by Mr Abbott caught the surprise of Defence chiefs who were shocked that Australia would try and send ground troops to Iraq before the US or other Coalition partners.
Mr Abbott also denied he had formally raised the idea.
The report again put the spotlight on the Prime Minister’s decision making capability and his leadership credentials.
Mr Abbott survived a motion for a leadership spill last sitting week 61 to 39 votes.
But the Prime Minister was said to be shocked by the number of “yes” votes.
He continues to face a spate of leaks against him with QLD MP Warren Entsch today saying there were “cockroaches” in his cabinet.
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