Greens urge to pull Australian troops from Afghanistan
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A growing number of Australians want their troops out of Afghanistan, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said on Sunday.
Senator Brown offered his condolences to the family of Private Nathan Bewes, the latest Australian casualty in the conflict.
"It's a terrible war, these soldiers are there at the nation's behest and we think they should be brought safely back to Australia," Senator Brown told the Nine Network on Sunday.
"Because this war is not going the way it should, it was bungled from the outset by (former U.S.) President (George W.) Bush."
A growing majority of Australians thought troops should be brought home, Senator Brown said.
"We will go to the election fighting very strongly to have our troops brought safely home from Afghanistan," he said.
Australia's involvement in Afghanistan should be the focus of a parliamentary debate, Senator Brown said.
"We owe that to our troops, every member of parliament should be on her or his feet saying what they think their electorate thinks in a full debate on our involvement in Afghanistan..."
Senator Brown said he would raise the need for a debate with the prime minister.
The Australian toll from the almost decade-long war now stands at 17, with 143 soldiers injured.
