Australian Prime Minister Renews Commitment to Afghanistan

War remains unpopular in Australia

As the hunt continued for the rogue Afghan soldier who shot threeAustralians, Ms Gillard said Australia was in "a state of shock" but an early withdrawal would create a security vacuum across Afghanistan.

"I really feel that Australians were yesterday and today not only in a state of shock and sadness and grief … but they are wanting to clearly understand why we are still there and what we are doing that matters so much for our nation," Ms Gillard said.

"After all that we have lost and all that we have been through in Afghanistan, I cannot countenance leaving before the mission is completed.