The prime rattus, on the brink of Australia's commitment of forces to Iraq, in conversation with 3AW host Neil Mitchell.

MITCHELL: Prime Minister, has oil got anything to do with this conflict?

PRIME MINISTER: No I don’t believe for a moment it has.

07.02.2003

This today from the online pages of The Australian:

Securing oil a factor for war in Iraq, says Nelson

The government has admitted the need to secure oil supplies is a factor in Australia's continued military involvement in Iraq.

Defence Minister, “brendan bandit” Nelson, said today oil was a factor in Australia's contribution to the unpopular war, as "energy security" & stability in the Middle East would be crucial to the nation's future.

Speaking ahead of a key foreign policy speech today by rattus, bandit said defence was about protecting the economy as well as physical security & it was important to support the "prestige" of the US & UK.

As kevin from QLD says: “When Mr Howard was asked back in 2003 whether this war had anything to do with oil, Mr Howard said in no way did it have anything to do with oil,” Rudd said. “This government simply makes it up as it goes along on Iraq.'”

Best not to mention WMD.

And I guess we’ll just have to wait & see if a future “protector” of freedom & democracy decides that invading Australia might be a sufficient justification for securing supplies of uranium, coal or crooked politicians?