Although I agree with you Panda, politically speaking it was a gesture of solidarity with the US alliance, that overrode moral and other considerations. Not excusing it, but it is important to see this through Australian political eyes.

More than any other country I can think of, Australia- a massive, resource rich island with an enviable lifestyle, but a small population and hence defence force- relies on US military power as a security blanket. There is a very strong security alliance, in which Australia is unquestionably the junior partner- simply put, if some Baddies invade Australia, they are also taking on the USA. In return, Australia houses two highly important, and sensitive, US bases on it's soil- Pine Gap and Exmouth and, to put it blatantly, when the US asks it to jump it asks "How High?". At the end of the day, the pragmatic acceptance of the security partnership overrides the private feelings and moral considerations of it's people- when push comes to shove.