Why did Australia become involved in the war in Iraq and what have been some of the consequences of this?

On the 19th of March, 2003, George W Bush the President of the United States of America declared war on Iraq. With the previously declared support of Australian Prime Minister John Howard and British Prime Minister Tony Blair he formed the 'Coalition of the Willing' to attempt to disarm Iraq of 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' it allegedly possessed. The actions of the government and their show of support for America caused a heartfelt reaction from the Australian people, with strong cases both for and against the war put forward. The fighting in Iraq, which still continues to this day has ha…