Labor deputy Marles heading to Middle East

Federal Labor deputy leader Richard Marles is visiting Cyprus, Israel and Bahrain in the coming week.

Mr Marles, who is the opposition’s defence spokesman, will visit the United Nation’s protected area while in Cyprus, where he will receive briefings by Australian Defence personnel in the UN Peacekeeping Force .

“Australia has a proud history of participating in peacekeeping operations and Cyprus counts as one of the early UN missions we joined back in 1964,” Mr Marles said in a statement on Saturday.

“While the nature of our presence has changed over the years, our continued involvement demonstrates Australia’s commitment to doing our part as a good global citizen.”

Read the article by Colin Brinsden (AAP) in Perth Now.