Last Australians Leave Iraq

'Despite Labor's longstanding opposition, Mr Smith acknowledged that involvement in Iraq had produced some benefits for Australia.

He said a decade of land war in Iraq and Afghanistan had seen Australia working very closely with the US.

"We have seen a much stronger relationship so far as special forces are concerned and a much stronger relationship so far as intelligence has been concerned," he said.

Mr Smith said senior Australian defence personnel had worked closely for a decade at a senior level with US, NATO and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) personnel.

"That has also left a singularly good impression," he said.'

Not with the Iraqis it hasn't, Mr Smith. Hundreds of thousands dead,maimed and displaced. But at least Australia has shown it's obsequiousness to America. Some consolation there, then.