Another Australian soldier was killed this week in a firefight with the Taliban.

The lance corporal, 28, is the 21st Australian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan and the 10th since June.

It’s a tragedy regretted across Australia and a testimony to the bravery of our soldiers who serve their country so well.

No one doubts our army’s resolve.

This war has been going on almost 11 years and several allies have pulled out.

In Australia, all sides of politics, except the Greens, support our continuing presence alongside the Americans.

The usual line is that Australia is participating to train the Afghan army to bring about stability and to prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for terrorist training.

Leaders continue to claim “progress is being made” when plainly it isn’t.

Significantly, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, while committed to the war, said yesterday it wouldn’t hurt to debate this issue.

It’s a line the Greens are certain to take up as they use their strength and influence in the new parliament.

Hopefully it won’t require many more Australian deaths to force such a debate.