RAAF planes will on Wednesday start flying missions over Iraq to support coalition aircraft in a deepening of Australia's military involvement in the campaign against the Islamic State terror group.
But the missions do not involve air strikes by Australian fighters themselves, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott telling Parliament on Wednesday that decision is yet to be finalised by the government.
Mr Abbott said a KC-30 aerial refuelling tanker and a Wedgetail early warning surveillance plane were starting flights to help US and other allied missions - which currently include air strikes. It is expected that the government will give the green light in coming days for RAAF Super Hornet fighters to begin combat missions in Iraq.
"We have not yet made the final decision to commit our forces to combat, but Australian aircraft from today will start flying over Iraq in support of allied operations. I stress, ours are support operations, not strike missions," Mr Abbott said. "Australian air strikes await final clearances from the Iraqi government and a further decision by our own."
Mr Abbott said Islamic State's violent behaviour such as beheadings and crucifixions were "only the beginning" if the group "has its way".
"This apocalyptic death cult has declared war on the world and it must be resisted at home and abroad," he said.
He said Islamic State, also known as ISIL, has "global ambitions" and therefore "our international security and our national security are indivisible".
"Australia can't change the world but we can make a difference," he said. "Our objective is to support governments that neither commit genocide against their own people, nor permit terrorism against ours. Our objective is to allow people to live their own lives in their own way and to worship in whatever way they choose."
