Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has backed the federal government's approval of air combat operations in Iraq to fight Islamic State extremists.
Mr Shorten says it is a sensible decision in difficult circumstances.
"When it comes to fighting terror, Labor and the government are working together," Mr Shorten told reporters in Melbourne on Friday.
The Labor leader said such decisions are never taken easily or lightly.
"In the face of evil, nations of good conscience do have a responsibility to act," he said.
"They are the enemy of freedom, the enemy of tolerance."
He agreed with Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who had phoned Mr Shorten to inform him of the cabinet's decision, not to put an end date on the mission.
"I'm not sure it is actually helpful to put a timetable on this today," he said.
"Clearly though, Labor sees this task does have an end point when IS is degraded, when the people of Iraq are much more safe than they currently are."
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