Australia: We’re pulling out of the war. USA: No you are not
Julia Gillard has defended her plan for an early exit of combat troops from Afghanistan against claims the time-line was designed to help her and US president Barack Obama.
The Prime Minister scoffed at suggestions that timing of the early withdrawal announcement was linked to the US election in November, as a US official insists Australia is staying in Afghanistan.
She has also agreed to provide a confidential briefing to the Opposition’s acting Defence spokesman George Brandis on the reasons for bringing forward the exit after he suggested the timing could be linked to the Australian election due late next year.