Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—I thank the Minister for Defence for his words. Once again, we are reminded ever so cruelly about the costs of serving one's country. Once again, we're reminded ever so cruelly about the risks war fighters take on in their jobs. With the tragic death of Warrant Officer Class 2 Lachlan Muddle last night in the parachuting exercise we just heard about, Australia has lost an honourable man, a patriot. Our hearts break for those closest to him. His family has lost a loved one. Friends have lost a mate, and the Special Air Service Regiment has lost a brother in arms. We acknowledge their loss and their grief as we mourn our nation's loss of such a fine Australian.

To every generation, our nation asks, 'Who among you will keep Australians safe?' and, at every march-out parade, we find those who, despite the dangers, have answered, 'I will.' To echo the profound and timeless words, spoken almost 2½ thousand years ago:

… the man who can most truly be accounted brave is he who best knows the meaning of what is sweet in life and of what is terrible, and then goes out undeterred to meet what is to come.

We honour Lachlan's service and the service of every member of the Australian Defence Force. Our thoughts are with Lachlan's family and friends, members of the SAS and the wider defence community.

See this speech in context