Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I make a statement to the House on indulgence concerning the death of an Australian soldier. This has been a tragic week for Australia and for the Australian Defence Force. I was deeply saddened to learn last night that an Australian soldier was killed yesterday in Afghanistan, the second to fall in a week. His loss will be deeply felt across the nation. This brave and courageous soldier died while attempting to make safe an improvised explosive device in order to protect his mates. In order to protect his mates—let’s reflect on that.

On behalf of the Australian government and the Australian people, I extend my most heartfelt condolences to this brave soldier’s family, his friends and his fellow soldiers. This has been a sad week for all Australians. The loss of two proud and respected soldiers is felt by all Australians. As a result of this incident yesterday, 10 Australian soldiers have now been killed in Afghanistan fighting the fight against terrorism. Oruzgan, like the rest of Afghanistan, remains a difficult and dangerous place. Our mission in Afghanistan is important for Australia because we remain committed to fighting terrorism at its source. We must never forget those terrorists who have killed over a hundred Australians in major attacks since 2000 and found sanctuary in Afghanistan and its border regions with Pakistan.

Australia will not falter in our efforts to bring greater security and stability to Afghanistan. We cannot allow Afghanistan to yet again become another safe haven for terrorists who then present a threat to the security of people everywhere, including Australians at home and abroad. The implications of this would extend well beyond Afghanistan itself to our wider region and possibly to our own shores. This government and the nation will not allow this to happen. Today our nation grieves with this man’s family, and we are again reminded of the ultimate sacrifice that some are called upon to make in the service of our nation. His sacrifice and the sacrifice of those who have fallen before him will never be forgotten by this House, by this parliament, by this government or by this nation.

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