Cabinet papers 2003: Howard government sends Australia into the Iraq war.

The Howard government's decision to support the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was the most significant decision made that year. Cabinet papers released by the National Archives of Australia confirm that there was no submission to full cabinet weighing the pros and cons of the Australian intervention. Prime Minister John Howard relied on a memorandum of advice to justify Australia's participation in the war, despite criticism from legal experts. The release of the cabinet papers also includes other submissions and decisions, such as the negotiation of a free trade agreement with the United States and health policy changes. Missed opportunities in 2003 include the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund, an emissions trading scheme, and progress on constitutional recognition of Indigenous people. [Extracted from the article]