Equipment the best, Nelson says (for Australian troops)

DEFENCE Minister Brendan Nelson has defended the equipment issued to Australian troops after criticism from a soldier giving evidence at the inquiry into the death of Private Jake Kovco

In his evidence to the board of inquiry on Monday, the unnamed soldier, who was a roommate of Pte Kovko, said troops in Iraq were "exposed and insufficiently resourced," with rifles and pistols that did not work and too few armoured vehicles.

"It was just a matter of time before someone else dies," the soldier said in a statement from Baghdad.

Pte Kovco died when he was shot in the head with his own issue Browning handgun.

Dr Nelson said today he had been advised by services heads, including army chief Lieutenant-General Peter Leahy, that the equipment was the best the troops had ever had.

(more)

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19529910-1702,00.html