Australia's top leaders are scrambling to dismiss a claim by the country's defence minister that securing oil supply was a key factor keeping troops in the US-led war in Iraq.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Treasurer Peter Costello appeared separately on national television to insist that Australia's main reason for maintaining troops in Iraq was to help defeat al-Qaeda.
Their comments come a day after Defence Minister Brendan Nelson cited 'resource security' as a key reason for Australia's military involvement in Iraq.
That claim was sharply contradicted by Australian Prime Minister John Howard a few hours later.
Mr Nelson was in Jakarta today on official business but reportedly said his comments had been misconstrued.
