Mr Abbott visited Al Minhad airbase in the United Arab Emirates on his way back from London, where he was briefed on the crisis in Iraq.
The visit came as ADF personnel were readying a RAAF Hercules, which later successfully delivered 10 pallets of supplies to Yazidi civilians trapped on Mount Sinjar by encircling Islamic State forces.
"This is a humanitarian cause and Australia has a long and distinguished tradition of assisting people in need," Mr Abbott said in a statement on Thursday.
The supplies, parachuted on pallets, included high-energy biscuits and bottled water.
Defence Minister David Johnston said he was proud of the crew who conducted the first mission.
But he did not believe there would be any need for Australian troops to assist in escorting refugees out of northern Iraq.
Treasurer Joe Hockey said Australia would play its part to stop potential genocide in Iraq.
"It is always the case that evil has its way when good people do nothing," Mr Hockey told ABC radio.
"And we have to stop ... the systemic slaughter of innocent people, wherever it may be in the world."
Iraqi Christians and Yazidis will be eligible for visas as part of the government's annual special humanitarian program intake of 4000.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and his department are monitoring the crisis and considering options to assist victims.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who congratulated the RAAF on the mission, said he had been assured by the government that it was purely a humanitarian mission.
If there were troops they would only be for protecting those involved in the humanitarian mission, he said. Mr Shorten said Labor supported giving sanctuary to Christians and Yazidis from Iraq, but believed the government's total intake should be more generous.
The United States has sent in a small number of special forces troops to Mount Sinjar to assess the situation.
There are around 130 US troops now stationed in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, who are part of the assessment mission.
But US President Barack Obama has ruled out sending in combat troops.
A series of air strikes from drones and jets on key targets began on Friday.
Share
