Cabinet papers from Iraq war period show Howard government saw access to Middle East oil as a key national interest

Newly released documents also reveal worries that reducing troop levels in Iraq would squander the benefits' to US-Australia alliance

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Secret cabinet documents from the Iraq war period show the Howard government viewed continued access by the developed world to Middle East oil reserves" as one of Australia's key national interests.

The newly released papers also show the government planned to reduce troop levels just months after the US-led invasion of Iraq, but worried this would squander the benefits" Australia's high-profile involvement had brought to the alliance.

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