Ausie's not impressed with Iraq

in the end, with so much opposition to / over the handling of iraq, lets hope we don't end up with the same aftermath in afghanistan; considering who carries the heavy hand with / in this nato mission.

Australians Upset with Government Over Iraq
January 26, 2007

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Australia are disappointed with the way their federal administration is dealing with the coalition effort, ... 62 per cent of respondents oppose the way the government has handled the Iraq war. ... Australian prime minister John Howard said he does not foresee any change in strategy, declaring, "You either stay or you go. You either rat on the ally or you don’t. ...

Australian Labor Party (ALP) leader Kevin Rudd dismissed the prime minister’s statement, saying, "I think Mr. Howard is on very shaky ground when it comes to providing a moral lecture to anybody else on the question of the future of Iraq policy." ...

Australians Upset with Goverment Over Iraq
January 26, 2007

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Australia are disappointed with the way their federal administration is dealing with the coalition effort, according to a Newspoll published in The Australian. 62 per cent of respondents oppose the way the government has handled the Iraq war.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,316 soldiers from 19 nations—including two Australians—have died during the military operation. Australia originally committed 2,000 troops to the war, but currently keeps about 1,400 soldiers in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst.

Yesterday, Australian prime minister John Howard said he does not foresee any change in strategy, declaring, "You either stay or you go. You either rat on the ally or you don’t. Now I’m not saying that is the only consideration but it is a big consideration for me."

Australian Labor Party (ALP) leader Kevin Rudd dismissed the prime minister’s statement, saying, "I think Mr. Howard is on very shaky ground when it comes to providing a moral lecture to anybody else on the question of the future of Iraq policy."

The next legislative election is tentatively scheduled for late 2007.

Polling Data

Overall, are you in favour or against the way the federal government has handled the Iraq war?

In favour
28%

Against
62%

Uncommitted
10%

Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,152 Australian voters, conducted from Jan. 19 to Jan. 21, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.