Liberal elder to Abbott: Australia risks being branded a war criminal: "Mr Valder, a former backer of Mr Howard, confronted health minister Tony Abbott "as a friend", accusing the Government of being a party to "a much greater atrocity" than the September 11 terrorist attack in the United States. "I suspect the strength of feeling is not only in this room or in this country but around the world on this subject," he said. "Let's not underestimate the enormity of what happened in Iraq."

"Coupled with what has happened with human rights in this country, from children overboard (to) Guantanamo Bay, there is a total disregard by this government of human rights." Only two of the 42 nations whose citizens the US had detained in Guantanamo Bay without charge had not strongly protested to the US - Australia and China. "I have to say to you as a friend - it is an appalling situation and it is not too late for your government to make amends."

Liberal elder to Abbott: Australia risks being branded a war criminal: "Mr Valder, a former backer of Mr Howard, confronted health minister Tony Abbott "as a friend", accusing the Government of being a party to "a much greater atrocity" than the September 11 terrorist attack in the United States. "I suspect the strength of feeling is not only in this room or in this country but around the world on this subject," he said. "Let's not underestimate the enormity of what happened in Iraq."

"Coupled with what has happened with human rights in this country, from children overboard (to) Guantanamo Bay, there is a total disregard by this government of human rights." Only two of the 42 nations whose citizens the US had detained in Guantanamo Bay without charge had not strongly protested to the US - Australia and China. "I have to say to you as a friend - it is an appalling situation and it is not too late for your government to make amends."