Iraq 2014 : This time it's different - The Centre for Independent Studies

Equating the invasion of Iraq in 2003 with the current anti-Islamic State intervention is misleading and likely to misdiagnose the appropriate policy response. Likening it to a "beating of the drums of war" attitude is similarly misguided.

While Australia's involvement a decade ago was questionable, this time it has legal and legitimate foundations, and is comparatively limited in scope.

By answering the Iraqi Government's call for assistance to fend off the Islamic State's onslaught, Australia is acting in accordance with international law. Australia is also satisfying obligations to the UN resolution on the Responsibility to Protect, by providing humanitarian support to Iraqi civilians.

This stands in stark contrast with the debatable legality of Australia's actions in 2003, where no UN Resolution was passed to authorise the invasion and where none of Iraq's alleged WMD's could be found.

Australia is also part of a large coalition of more than 60 states that have agreed to fight Islamic State. Of particular significance this time is the participation of Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey, aligning Australia's stance with other states both inside and outside the region.

In comparison, Australia was one of only three Western states acting alongside the US in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003, out of step with Arab states and the international community.

Finally, Australia has ruled out putting "boots on the ground" in direct combat in the current conflict, so far limiting activities to airstrikes and military support operations to back Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.

Australia should not fall for the inaccurate scaremongering that equates Australia's current actions against a terrorist group in Iraq with those from 2003 against the Hussein regime.

In this context, Australia's current involvement is more limited, legitimate and legal.

Amelia Haigh is a Policy Intern at The Centre for Independent Studies.