Australian Iraq policy under fire

In an open letter, the 43 signatories said the decision was based on false assumptions and deception.

They also said Australia's involvement in the war had raised its profile as a potential target of terrorism.

The government said that while there were intelligence failings it had not misused information in its possession.

In a similar statement in April, retired British diplomats criticised the UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, for his support of what they described as doomed American policies in the Middle East.

The letter's signatories include former heads of the Australian Defence Force, former departmental heads and senior figures in the intelligence and diplomatic communities.

They demand an end to the Australian government's "rubber-stamping" of US policies and called for a more balanced approach.