SYDNEY, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Australian troops serving in Afghanistan have a dangerous and difficult job but it is important work, said Defense Minister John Faulkner.

    "I don't mince words on the situation in Afghanistan," Faulkner told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

    He was responding to comments by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) secretary-general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who said that an upcoming surge from allied military forces in Afghanistan would mean more deaths.

    Faulkner said he acknowledged the dangers Australian troops faced.

    "The government has always acknowledged that the fight in Afghanistan is difficult and dangerous.

    "That's a fact, it is difficult and dangerous and it's important not to underestimate the challenges that our troops on the ground face."

    It was in Australia's interest to have a presence in Afghanistan, he said.

    "Our goal is strategic denial for terrorists so they no longer have Afghanistan as a safe operating base for terrorist activity and terrorist attacks, including terrorist attacks on Australian citizens in the future."