Details of a new Australian deployment to Afghanistan have been announced by the Prime Minister, John Howard.
The 240 Australian soldiers will form part of a Dutch-led international reconstruction mission.
The new deployment will cost around 270-million dollars.
Mr Howard says the troops will begin leaving from July:
"This deployment of 240 personnel, has of course been previously foreshadowed but the size and composition had not been determined. It has been determined after extensive discussions with the Netherlands. It is a further reminder of our very strong commitment to the coalition effort in Afghanistan".