THE jubilation of Iraqis at the apparent defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime has not convinced Opposition Leader Simon Crean that war in Iraq was necessary.
Mr Crean said the war could have been avoided and Australia should never have been involved.
Iraqis poured onto the streets of Baghdad overnight marking the arrival of US commanders who helped topple a statue of President Saddam Hussein in the central square.
Mr Crean said the images of Iraqis celebrating the demise of their dictator had not changed Labor's stance or his view of the war.
"We shouldn't have been involved," Mr Crean told ABC local radio in Wollongong.
"If I had been Prime Minister, we would not have sent the troops.
"This was a war that could have been avoided and most importantly the disarmament of Iraq of weapons of mass destruction had to be pursued through the United Nations."
Mr Crean said the footage from Baghdad pointed to the war coming to an end.
"And I hope that's the case because that's the best way in which we can get our troops home quickly and safely."
Mr Crean said the United Nations had to be involved in the political reconstruction of Iraq to ward off instability and the threat of terrorism on the back of a US-led victory.
"What we do not want is a situation of instability and the basis for terrorism off the back of this so-called victory," he said.
"And it's the longer term consequences - the humanitarian aid, how are we going to put in effect the new political system?"
Mr Crean said it was vital there was an international response to the rebuilding of Iraq, and not a US-led protectorate overseeing the country.
Australia should push for strong United Nations involvement, he said, and must encourage the United States to be part of a wider international solution.
"I think it is a dangerous direction for world peace and security that the decision as to what happens and what doesn't happen is determined by the United States alone," Mr Crean said.
