Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I also rise today to talk about the tragic death of Sergeant Brett Wood. What has occurred to such a fine Australian soldier is, obviously, an absolute tragedy—as we have learned, he was one of our finest. His record serving the nation speaks for itself. It is a record which, through deployment upon deployment, shows an outstanding military career. It is absolutely certain that the lives which have been lost in fighting this war in Afghanistan are tragic in every sense of the word, because—as we have heard and seen with every moving speech, every moving funeral and with all the words that families and friends have had to say about all the soldiers that have died—they have an enormous impact on those families, friends and military personnel. But with every one of these deaths we must remember that it is important that these deaths do not take place for a cause which we would walk away from. These deaths are a reminder to us of why we should be in Afghanistan and why we need to continue to be there.

Sergeant Brett Wood, and other soldiers, have given their lives so that we can defend this cause. It is beholden on us to make sure that we remain resolute on the reasons we are there. There are three reasons we must continue in Afghanistan and see the job done. The first, as I have already outlined, is the 26 tragic deaths that we have seen. Each of these soldiers have done the most admirable thing: they have been prepared to give up their lives—and ultimately they have given up their lives—serving our nation. And there cannot be a more honourable deed.

The second reason we need to stay the course is the reason we are there—that is, the fight against terrorism. In fighting international terrorism in Afghanistan we are helping to keep safe not only Australian citizens but citizens across the world who believe in freedom and democracy and who believe that terror is not the way of the world. We must continue to fight terrorism. And if that means that we must continue the battle in Afghanistan, as hard as that may be, we need to do so. Our resolve must not weaken, because if we are seen to weaken we give heart to the terrorists and they will continue to pursue us, not only in Afghanistan but across the world. And the last thing any of us needs to see is another September 11, another Bali. The tragic consequences for our nation and for the world from these events is why we are in Afghanistan and why we must continue to be there.

The third reason we need to continue the course is because of our alliances—in particular our ANZUS alliance. It was September 11 that led us to invoke the ANZUS alliance and it was largely the reason we have ended up in Afghanistan. That alliance continues to be our most critical alliance today. We must stay the course with the US and make sure, as far as the alliance is concerned, that we are in lock-step with the US in winning this battle in Afghanistan.

The other alliance that we must ensure that we continue to honour is that with our British colleagues—and through them, with NATO—who are also there with us fighting in Afghanistan. It is incredibly important that we continue to play our part, along with NATO, who have done the lion's share in Afghanistan, and make sure that we continue to give them the support they deserve.

I would like to use this opportunity to pay my respects to Sergeant Brett Wood and his family and friends for the tragic loss of life and also to say that his life will not be forgotten because he, along with the 26 others, have made the supreme sacrifice for this nation. It was a supreme sacrifice to ensure that we do everything we can to rid the world of international terrorism and make sure that we protect our key alliances with the US, the UK and NATO.

See this speech in context