The Defence Minister's making claims that don't appear to match the public record.

Gerry Brownlee's denying any political cover up or conspiracy after Australian media, not our defence Force, revealed Kiwi troops were training across the Tasman ahead of being deployed to Iraq.

He says he recalls saying prior to Christmas that New Zealand troops would be training with their Australian counterparts before leaving for Iraq.

However last December Mr Brownlee was, in the face of accusations from New Zealand First, actively denying troops were being trained for a planned deployment to Iraq