Australia denies US of further military commitment against Islamic State, country called out to do more

Australia confirmed on Thursday that it declined the West's offer for additional or greater military commitment in the campaign against the Islamic State. Former defence minister Kevin Andrews, however, believes that Australia needs to do more in its fight against the terrorist group.

Australia did not agree to the request of the Unite States to expand military contribution against ISIS in light of the Syria crisis and Paris attacks. While Australia has been known to be a staunch ally of the United States and one of the biggest contributors to its campaign against the terror organization, Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne explained that the country has no plans to add to what it has committed presently.

"Australia has considered the request from US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter in light of the substantial contributions we are already making to train Iraqi security forces and to the air campaign," Reuters quoted the official in a statement.

"The Government has advised Secretary Carter that our existing contributions will continue."

In the latter part of 2014, Australia committed Super Hornet fighter jets, 600-strong group of air force personnel, support aircraft and special forces soldiers to fight against IS in Iraq. Later on, mission expanded to Syria.

Former defence minister Kevin Andrews thinks otherwise. He called out Australia to contribute more in the fight against ISIS. He emphasised pushing the ground troops because they can be crucial to defeating the terrorist organisation.

"If the Americans have made a reasonable request of us, then we should be giving it the most favourable consideration," Andrews told ABC.

"We make a very significant commitment in the Middle East but the question is, is it the most efficient and effective way of making that commitment?"

"We are largely doing two things - we are conducting airstrikes, but about 75 per cent of those missions come home without having dropped a weapon, and secondly we are training Iraqi forces, which is useful but the reality is unless there are forces on the ground, then we're not going to defeat ISIL," he added.