(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
Australia is set to begin airstrikes against Islamic State extremists in Iraq within days.
The federal government has signed off on what the Prime Minister admits could be a long and dangerous mission.
The cabinet has also approved the deployment of Australian special forces into Iraq to advise and assist Iraqi forces.
Thea Cowie has the details.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
"I want to stress that only Iraq can defeat ISIL, but Iraq shouldn't be alone and as far as Australia and our allies are concerned, Iraq won't be alone."
The Prime Minister says it is clearly in Australia's national interest to help disrupt and degrade what he calls the "death cult" that is Islamic state.
To that end, he's committing up to eight Super Hornet jets, a Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and a refueller " to bombing missions in Iraq.
The deployment of 200 Special Forces, mostly commandos, has also been approved.
Australian troops on the ground are not expected to engage directly in combat operations themselves, but will advise Iraqi forces engaging in combat operations.
Tony Abbott says Islamic State has declared war on the world, but he's avoiding saying Australia is at war, instead describing the mission as an essentially humanitarian one.
He says it could take months rather than weeks.
"I want to reassure the Australian people that it will be as long as it needs to be, but as short as it possibly can be. I also need to warn the Australian people that this is a dangerous mission. It is a dangerous mission, but I am confident that the Chief of Defence Force has put in place all possible measures to minimise risk."
Chief of the Defence Force Mark Binskin says a full risk assessment has been done.
Risks to Australian aircraft include small arms fire, anti-aircraft fire and surface to air missiles; while special forces face roadside bombs and infantry attack.
Air Chief Marshal Binskin says the mission is not being rushed.
"The team is well trained, they're well equipped, they're well prepared. The air traffic group's been flying supporting mission and some training missions over Iraq for the last couple of days and we're ready to get on with the job."
Mr Abbott says the US-led coalition will know it's succeeding when the Iraqi government restores control over its own cities and towns.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten says the government has Labor's support in pursuit of that goal.
"I believe the most difficult decision for a nation is the decision to send our troops in harm's way. But in the face of evil, nations of good conscience do have a responsibility to act. ISIL is not the enemy of one nation or of one faith or of one people. It is the enemy of all of us. They are the enemy of freedom, they are the enemy of tolerance."
Australian Greens leader Christine Milne warns Australia's involvement in Iraq has increased the risk of terrorist attacks on home soil.
She's told the ABC, military involvement is not the answer to the IS threat.
"I think Australia should join the rest of the world in the activities such as trying to shut off the flow of money to ISIL, the flow of weapons to ISIL. The issue here is what is Australia's best interest and how is it served? And the PM cannot answer that and he's getting us into a multi-year quagmire in the Middle East with no evidence whatsoever that it is going to make Australia safer."
The Prime Minister has not ruled out potential involvement in Syria and has cautioned against trying to predict future missions.
