‘Save their lives’: Solomon MP Luke Gosling pleads for federal government to aid Afghans who helped Aussie soldiers

Former soldier and now federal Territory politician Luke Gosling says time is running out to save the lives of the hundreds of Afghans who worked in support of the Darwin soldiers who were on active service during the long conflict in their country.

FORMER soldier and now federal Territory politician Luke Gosling says time is running out to save the lives of the hundreds of Afghans who worked in support of the Darwin soldiers who were on active service during the long conflict in their country.

Mr Gosling, the federal Member for Solomon, said the Afghanistan helpers had been left in limbo, including many with character references from Australian Defence Force personnel.

He has urged the federal government to do the morally right thing and save the lives of Afghans who helped Darwin Diggers in Afghanistan.

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The rapid advance of Taliban fighters since the withdrawal of foreign forces, including Australians, has intensified calls for Afghan interpreters, aid workers and security guards who helped Australian forces to be given asylum.

With their immediate family members, an estimated 1500 ­people are still seeking entry to Australia.

The Morrison government has ruled out joining a US evacuation mission to rescue its Afghan support staff.

“Two things are fair to say. One, the federal government has not done the right thing by the interpreters, they are still stuck there, and we should do the morally right thing and save their lives by bringing them out,” Mr Gosling said.

Solomon MP Luke Gosling. Picture: Che Chorley

“In lots of cases they have saved many, many Australian soldiers’ lives, including those from Darwin.

“We should do everything to help resettle these people.

“They are now in danger of being slaughtered any day by the Taliban for helping our Darwin soldiers.

“I would hope that Darwin could be a part of helping the Afghan helpers and their families find a safe haven to live.

“There is absolutely no doubt these people played a critical role in helping to keep Darwin soldiers alive.”

Australia has withdrawn its last remaining troops from Afghanistan ahead of September 11. Pictures are the last six remaining Australian troops with the Australian flag prior to boarding a RAAF C130 aircraft at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. They flew out for the last time on Friday, June 18 at 3.30pm local time. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Gosling said he had talked to Darwin veterans of the conflict and there is unanimous support for saving the lives of those who helped them in Afghanistan.

“They realise how vital their support was on the ground in saving Australian lives,” he said. “It is something deeply felt because there is this strong belief that we were there trying to make the country better and these people did put their lives on the line in the hope Afghanistan would have a peaceful future.

“It looks like that will be very difficult.”