He thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their facilitation of this visit.

CHRIS BOWEN returns from a visit to Iraq

The security environment in Iraq remains vital for Australia’s ongoing national interest.

15 JUNE 2018

I am today returning from a two day visit to Iraq.

The security environment in Iraq remains vital for Australia’s ongoing national interest.

Whilst ISIS is in retreat, the humanitarian crisis caused by their rampage in Iraq’s North remains real and ongoing.

In Iraq’s North I visited the UNHCR internally displaced persons camp at Harshm for people who lost their homes at the hands of ISIS.

In both Baghdad and Erbil I received briefings from community leaders including the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, His Holiness Mar Gewargis III.

I undertook meetings with representatives of the Iraqi Government and received a briefing from the Deputy Commanding General of Coalition land forces in Iraq, Brigadier General John Fenwick.

I would like to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their facilitation of this visit.

CHRIS BOWEN MP

SHADOW TREASURER

ACTING SHADOW MINISTER FOR SMALL BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

MEMBER FOR MCMAHON