WHY DID WE GO TO WAR IN IRAQ? A CALL FOR AN AUSTRALIAN INQUIRY Contents The Iraq War Inquiry Group consists of Australians from diverse backgrounds who are concerned that there has been no in-depth, high-level and independent inquiry into how Call for an Iraq war inquiry 5 Australia decided to take part in the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Foreword As a consequence, there has been little informed public Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser AC CH 6 discussion of the lessons to be learned and the alternatives and potential improvements in the process by which Executive summary 10 Australian institutions respond to future conflicts. 1 Why an inquiry, and why now? Prof Ramesh Thakur 13 Published in August 2012 2 How did we get there? Garry Woodard, Paul Barratt AO and Andrew Farran 21 The chapters in this document have been written by members of the Iraq War Inquiry Group, and do not necessarily reflect the views of 3 What evidence was available? the group as a whole, or any individual member, in every respect. Rod Barton 29 Editor: Dr Alison Broinowski 4 How highly did the children rate? Convenor: Dr Sue Wareham OAM Dr Jenny Grounds and Dr Sue Wareham OAM 37 Layout: Tim Wright 5 What sort of inquiry is needed? Edward Santow 45 Website: www.iraqwarinquiry.org.au Email:
[email protected] 6 A better Westminster way to war? Phone: 0431 475 465 Prof Charles Sampford 55 Postal address: PO Box 1379 7 The UK inquiries into the Iraq war Carlton, Victoria, 3053 Prof Gerry Simpson 67 8 Never again? Dr Alison Broinowski and Prof Charles Sampford 75 Some unanswered questions 80 Contributors 82 Cover: Iraqi children who fled escalating violence in southern Iraq.