Warren Snowdon (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel) Share this | Hansard source

Along with others, I would like to offer my sympathy at the death of Sergeant Brett Wood and express my condolences to his wife, Elvi, and his family, friends and comrades. As others have said, Elvi has described Brett as a much loved son, grandson and brother, who inspired his family with his dedication and generosity.

We know that operational deaths are felt deeply across the wider Defence family and, I think, across the wider community. But I think it is important that we let the fine men and women of the Australian Defence Force know that our thoughts are with them during events like this—at this time of sorrow and mourning. I think it is also important that we acknowledge the five young Australians who were wounded in incidents in Afghanistan on the day of Sergeant Wood's death and wish them a speedy recovery.

I rise in parliament for the third time this year to express my sympathy at the death of an Australian soldier. That mere fact and the fact that we are here today underline the dangerous nature of the mission that our troops face in Afghanistan. This is further underlined by the more recent reporting of two more deaths in Afghanistan of brave Australian soldiers. On this day I also remember the family and friends of Corporal Richard Atkinson and Sapper Jamie Larcombe, the brave men killed in action earlier this year.

Sergeant Brett Wood was serving, as we know, with the Special Operations Task Group when he was tragically killed in action by an IED on Monday 23 May 2001 Afghanistan time. We know he was born in Ferntree Gully in 1978 and joined the Army in 1996. After recruit training he joined the 6th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment. He then undertook the quite rigorous entry requirements for commando selection and training and joined the then 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 2nd Commando, in November of 1998. He was just 32 at the time of his death, with much more to live for.

During his service in the Australian Army, Sergeant Wood deployed on the following operations—Operation Bel Isi II in Bougainville in 2000, Operation Tanager in East Timor in 2001 and Operation Falconer in Iraq in 2003. He was also deployed in Operation Slipper in Afghanistan three times—that is, he had three deployments to Afghanistan in 2006, 2009 and 2011. He was not only a professional digger with significant operational experience but also a much decorated soldier. He was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for leadership in action as a team commander during his 2006 tour of Afghanistan.

It is worth explaining and noting why Sergeant Wood was awarded this Medal for Gallantry. On 17 July 2006, during Operation Perth, the commando platoon was tasked to conduct the clearance of an anti-coalition militia sanctuary in the Chora Valley in Afghanistan. The platoon was partnered in support of an infantry company of the United States Army 10th Mountain Division. At approximately 1 pm, the infantry company came under heavy rocket-propelled grenade fire and small arms fire on multiple flanks, resulting in six wounded and one soldier killed in action, effectively halting their advance. Through thick vegetation, facing large numbers of dispersed anti-coalition militia and under heavy fire, the commando platoon commenced manoeuvring to provide assistance to the element which was pinned down. During this move the commando platoon received a volley of four rockets which impacted in the centre of the platoon's position, resulting in six Australian soldiers wounded in action—a loss to the platoon of one-third of its force.

Unknown to the commander at the time, Corporal Wood, as he then was, had also been wounded in the foot by fragmentation from the rocket-propelled grenade barrage. Corporal Wood's actions as a commando team commander during Operation Perth were testament to his leadership, fortitude and sense of duty to his team and the platoon. His determination to continue to lead his team during the battle, despite his wound and in extremely hazardous circumstances, ensured that the commando platoon regained the initiative and contributed significantly to a very decisive victory. His gallantry and leadership in the face of the enemy was of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of Special Operations Command Australia, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

He was also recognised for his work back in Australia, receiving a Special Operations Command Australia commendation for service with the Tactical Assault Group (East) in 2007. Sergeant Brett Wood was also awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with clasps for East Timor, International Coalition against Terrorism and Iraq 2003; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Australian Service Medal with clasp for Bougainville; the Australian Defence Medal; the United Nations East Timor Medal; the NATO ISAF Medal; the Unit Citation for Gallantry and the Infantry Combat Badge. He was also posthumously awarded the newly instituted Counterterrorism and Special Recovery clasp to the Australian Service Medal, and the Defence Long Service Medal at his repatriation ceremony in Sydney on Monday.

At Sergeant Wood's return to Australia at a ramp ceremony at RAAF Base Richmond, the Chief of Army said, 'Army has lost an incredibly talented and truly courageous soldier, and his wife has lost a very loving husband.'

Sergeant Brett Wood died serving his country and is owed an enormous and special debt of gratitude that, of course, we can never repay. He has followed a noble path which has been trod by so many before him. He pulled on the uniform of the Australian Army, as many others have done. He did that and he did what was asked of him by the Australian government.

As Major General Gilmour, Special Operations Commander, said, and this has already been quoted: 'Sergeant Wood epitomised the values of courage, dedication to duty, loyalty and mateship.' He secured our nation on our behalf. He served as an Australian soldier. I think that, as we continue to do these things, it is very, very important that we recognise what this really means. Anyone who puts on one of these uniforms puts themselves in a position where they too could be in the position of Brett Wood. They put themselves in a position where they can ultimately be in danger in a war action and be killed or wounded, and they do it on our behalf. So those of us who sit here in Parliament House, in our neat suits and lovely ties or beautiful dresses, need to understand that these people are fighting for us. They are down and doing it dirty. And when they do that, when they put themselves in harm's way in the way that they do, they do that for all of us. We must give them thanks for all of that work. This morning I met with a number of Australian wounded diggers—people who have been casualties of the wars that we have fought. To see the courage of these men who have come back from battle, to be in rehabilitation recovering from terrible injuries, and to see the courage they have shown not only in the adversity they have conquered but in seeing their lives before them, we can have nothing but admiration for those people. Sergeant Brett Wood epitomised the courage of Australian men and women in uniform, and for that we thank him.

I acknowledge all of those who have spoken in this discussion—it is hardly a debate—because it is important that we recognise, as I have done, that across the parliament there is unanimous support for the work of our soldiers in Afghanistan. We need to ensure that they understand that our support is ongoing and that the sacrifices of people such as Sergeant Brett Wood are not in vain. Lest we forget.

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