Shorten visits soldiers in Iraq

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has made a surprise visit to Australian soldiers in Iraq, praising them for their professionalism, courage and commitment.

It's his first visit to Iraq as opposition leader.

During the brief visit, Mr Shorten was briefed by the commander of Australian troops in Iraq on their operations, including efforts to disrupt and degrade Islamic State.

He said in the centenary year of ANZAC, it was humbling to see these men and women continue that proud tradition and an honour to stand with them to belatedly mark Australia Day.

"I conveyed federal Labor's bipartisan support for the current mission in Iraq to the personnel on the ground and our thanks for their service and their sacrifice," he said in a statement.

"I also assured them that their families were in our thoughts and would always be looked after while they were on deployment."

Australia has about 200 soldiers in Iraq, members of the 2nd Commando Regiment who are advising Iraqi units in their fight against IS.

Mr Shorten said all Australians should be proud of the work they were doing to defeat IS and enhance capabilities of Iraqi Security Forces.

"It was heartening to see the constructive, positive role our men and women are playing in this complex and multifaceted battle, and the level of co-operation across our agencies and the coalition."

Mr Shorten expressed his thanks to Prime Minister Tony Abbott for his assistance in arranging the visit.

Assistant defence minister Stuart Robert said there was a longstanding tradition of governments providing opposition leaders with access to troops abroad.

"I am pleased that the opposition leader has gone over there and met with our commanders and met with our troops and got a first hand view of what's happening on the ground," he told Sky News.