DARWIN - 16 August 2021
KATIE WOOLF, HOST: Another situation, I should say internationally, which I know a lot of Territorians will be interested in: Taliban insurgents have seized the presidential palace in Kabul after taking control of nearly all of Afghanistan in just over a week now. What we do know is that Taliban fighters took control of much of the capital city overnight. “Rolling into the city from all sides and completing a dizzying sweep” is how it's been described by the ABC, “in the face of little resistance from Afghanistan's army two decades after they were overthrown by a US-led invasion”. Now, what we know is that a lot of Territorians served in Afghanistan. Joining us on the line to talk a little bit more about the situation is the Member for Solomon Luke Gosling. Good morning to you, Luke.
LUKE GOSLING, MEMBER FOR SOLOMON: Morning, Katie.
WOOLF: Luke, we know that as I mentioned, a lot of Territorians have served overseas in Afghanistan. Firstly, I mean, what do you make of the situation in Afghanistan at the moment?
GOSLING: We always knew this day would occur, maybe the last couple of days has rolled out a bit quicker than anticipated, but we've got to remember that there's been peace negotiations going on for some time and we pulled our embassy out months ago. So it has not been a surprise. And unfortunately, because we pulled out our embassy so quickly those many months ago now, we've not been able to evacuate so many that are now in a desperate, desperate situation. Regardless of what the Taliban says about not seeking retribution on those that that served alongside the Americans and the Australians over the last 20 years, you could understand why there's a lot of distress in Kabul right now.
WOOLF: Now I know that the Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been out today and convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Committee, but wouldn't comment to the media earlier this morning on whether the speed of the Taliban offensive had derailed plans to airlift Australians to safety. What is the current situation for those out there listening this morning who maybe aren't aware? I mean, do we still have – like, how many Aussies would we still have over there right now?
GOSLING: There are a number of Australian aid workers and journalists, some of whom are saying that they're going to stay. I'm not sure the exact numbers of Australians we've got on the ground, but from where I stand, it's pretty negligent now when we've got an ADF who trains relentlessly for these sorts of evacuation operations to say that those plans may now be derailed. The Prime Minister himself said that we wouldn't be joining in any evacuation plans some time ago now. And I think what he's doing is just trying to manage the politics because of the veterans around the country who are absolutely disgusted and calling for the federal government to act, to do something. Having said that, there's not a time for blame, but I just think I owe it to every Afghan veteran out there that just doesn't know what to make of all this and what our contribution over there has come to, to say that it is disgusting how this has played out. And I believe it will be a stain on our country. And I just hope that there are still credible plans – not managing the politics, but credible plans – to get whoever we can out, particularly those who risk their own lives for Australian service people and diplomats over these over these past years.
WOOLF: Luke, have you been in contact with any of those veterans over the last couple of days? And what have they been saying to you?
GOSLING: They’re just sickened by it all. And of course, the moral injuries are compounded by the way that this is being handled by the Government. And there's no two ways around that. And I think what we've seen is a whole generation with 39,000 Australians have served over there. If you think there's, you know, at least 100,000 family members. And unfortunately, what we've seen in the last couple of days is a lot of sort of triggering. And just think about in our own community, all those mates of Scotty Palmer, a Territorian who was killed over there in 2010, ripple effects of our time in Afghanistan will continue to be felt. And that's why I guess I just wanted to finally say, Katie, that this is a time to reach out to your mates. Don't be alone thinking about this. Catch up with your mates and just have a chat about it. Have a chat about how you're feeling about it. You know, go for a walk on the beach. And I just wanted to say that not only are my thoughts very much with those families in Afghanistan who are now terrified in Kabul, let's not forget that so many Afghans who work with us over those years. So hopefully a future for their mums, for their sisters, aunties, for their wives not to be subjected to the treatment that they were in the past under the Taliban. Now, the Taliban says they've changed. Only time will tell how true that is. But I just wanted to let everyone know who's invested in that place and time away from families, their health, their physical health, and mental health. Just know that we're thinking of you and to reach out to a mate.
WOOLF: Yeah. Oh, Luke, I tell you what, it's a really difficult situation. And Luke, we actually got in contact with Ray Palmer, the dad of Scott Palmer, our Northern Territory-born Commando, who you did just speak about, killed during the war in Afghanistan. We were hoping to have him on the show this morning. He wasn't available, but he did say to us to get in contact with you, which obviously we've done. And like you said, we're thinking of all of those Territorians who served over in Afghanistan. I know that they would be feeling – for some of them certainly would be feeling pretty disappointed today, to say the least.
GOSLING: Very disappointed. But I want to say to them clearly, that what you did over in that country did make a difference. It absolutely did. And the challenges that so many millions of people in Afghanistan will face from here on in, will be more able to be worked through because of the resilience that was built during that time and the education that was able to happen during that time. So please don't think it was in vain.
WOOLF: Spot on. Luke, we will wrap up mate, but are you are you stuck in Canberra at the moment or did you manage to get back?
GOSLING: No, I didn't. I'm locked down and it's the only way, if we get out of here in ACT of lockdown, that I can get to parliament on Monday. Whether parliament on Monday will go ahead is very unclear. So I'm just thinking of everyone in the Territory. Just enjoy it while you can, and you never know when things are going to have to be put in place to keep Territorians safe. But I know Territorians will take it in stride and do what they need to to keep the Territory safe. So thinking of you.
WOOLF: Well, yeah. We are anticipating that the Chief Minister Michael Gunner is going to be out at around 10.30 this morning holding a press conference. I know that they've had a SEMSI meeting earlier today. So all eyes will be on that press conference just to see exactly what situation we are in here in the Northern Territory. Luke Gosling, the Member for Solomon. Always appreciate your time. Thank you for speaking with us this morning.
GOSLING: Thank you, Katie, and thanks for all your support and trying to push for getting these people evacuated as well. It's very much appreciated by the veteran and broader community.
WOOLF: Good on you, Luke. Thank you.
ENDS
