Opened the debate
Watson-Brown argued that the deployment of Australian military personnel, aircraft, and missiles constituted direct participation in a US and Israeli war against Iran, which she described as illegal. Watson-Brown contended that the government had failed to seek parliamentary approval or public consent for this escalation, moving from political support to active troop deployment. Watson-Brown claimed the government had misled the public by initially stating troops would not be deployed, thereby risking Australian security and lives. Watson-Brown asserted that the conflict primarily benefited gas companies through price spikes rather than ordinary Australians, who faced economic shocks similar to those during the Russia-Ukraine war. Watson-Brown called for an immediate end to support for the war, the withdrawal of all troops, and a prohibition on the US using Australian military assets.