Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I will get the information for Senator Brown as quickly as I can. As Senator Brown would be aware, the Australian government is supporting international efforts to ensure that the elections are credible, secure and inclusive. We are making a substantial contribution to support the elections, including: an infantry company; approximately 120 troops to assist the Afghanistan National Security Forces with election security; additional military capacity to provide logistical support; $9 million in financial assistance, including funding for election observers from regional countries; and a small team of Australian civilians observers who will contribute to ensuring the polls are conducted properly. I think there is proper international scrutiny of these elections. Clearly, we will be interested to ensure that they are free and fair and the reporting of the international observers will inform us whether they were or were not.