If only Tony Abbott could bring the conviction and even eloquence he demonstrated in Baghdad to bear on the Budget back home! He was right to visit the Middle East at this dangerous time. The war in Iraq is not some far-away conflict that is none of our business. ‘Knocking off’ ISIL is important to our future and the future of the world – as is recognized by the UK, France, Canada, Turkey and the United States (not to mention the Australian Labor Party.)