Mr CIOBO (NaN:07:00) —At a time when Australia is engaging in international affairs, possibly to the greatest extent that we have in a very long time, it gives me great pleasure to rise in support of this motion moved by the member for Wannon in relation to the armed forces parliamentary program. I recently had the opportunity to take part in this program, and I received a posting to travel to the Middle East and to sail in the Persian Gulf aboard two vessels: the HMAS Melbourne and the HMAS Arunta—which both the member for Wannon and the member for Bendigo have already alluded to. When I initially approached it, I thought it would be a fantastic program to play a part in and would provide me with some insight that I have not had into the armed forces—aside from a couple of years as an air cadet, which, although I boast proudly about it, is fairly limited exposure to the tremendous challenges and the great job that our fine service men and women do on a daily basis.

I thought I would paint a bit of a picture, for those who have not had the opportunity to find out more about the program, of what those of us who participated in the armed forces parliamentary program did. I should say right from the very first word that it was not red-carpet treatment. It started with our flight over on the Russian-built Ilyushin IL76. I can attest to the fact that, with about four inches between my seat and the seat in front, it is amazing that our soldiers can even walk once they hit the ground over in the Middle East. But it was an enjoyable flight, and we were certainly well taken care of by the crew.

Mr Edwards —Enjoyable?

Mr CIOBO —Others had more luxurious surrounds, but not those of us at the back of the plane. When we landed in Fujairah it was about 48 degrees, from memory, and it was just after midnight. For me, when that door of the plane was opened, as I got slapped across the face by the sheer humidity and heat of the Middle East, I quickly gained an appreciation of what it was going to be like for the next 10 or 11 days and what it must be like on a continual basis for the fine men and women that take part in the armed services operations in the Middle East. In Fujairah we were met by Sheldon—and I will omit his surname because I have been requested to—who was a most gracious and patient liaison person for the four of us who were taking part in the program on board the Melbourne and the Arunta.

I should highlight that the sailors, the whole time they are over there, are in a state of full war readiness. We arrived in Dubai and went to the port to board the Melbourne, and it was surrounded by a perimeter fence of cargo containers designed to prevent or at least minimise the risk of any likely attack from something such as a car bomb. In addition, under the bottom of the ship—in the water, actually, in the port—there is lighting that highlights all the ocean underneath the ship to minimise the risk of any bombs being planted by divers. The whole time the sailors are in the Middle East there is an ever-present need to be aware of their surroundings and to be aware of the fact that we have enemies in that part of the world—people who do not share the views that we share and who do not support the sanctions we are enforcing that were passed by the United Nations.

On board the Melbourne—and it is a fine ship, crewed by fine men and women and captained by Captain Steve McDowell—I had the opportunity to get a first-hand look at all the various aspects of life that go with being a sailor. And what an incredible day-to-day task it is. The purpose of the armed forces parliamentary program is to provide us with some insight into what it is actually like to be a sailor. I can honestly say that now, having had that insight, I believe I will be far more knowledgeable when it comes to the kind of debate that I regret our parliament will probably have in a couple of days from now on a possible action—be it multilateral or unilateral—against Iraq. I am most mindful of the fact that the young men and women who are taking part in naval exercises over there at this very moment are playing an important role. They are the ones we need to think about when it comes to making a decision about whether or not the pointy end of the armed forces should be engaged in Iraq.

I would like to pay my respects and express my gratitude to those involved in the program—in particular the member for Wannon, who introduced it, but also Ray Perry, Garry Walbrook and Samantha Jackman for their involvement in the parliamentary program. Without them, it would not be possible. Without them, all of us as parliamentarians would not have the unique insight that we got through being involved in the program and the unique understanding that we now have of the daily challenges faced by our fine young service men and women over there in the Middle East.