Warren Snowdon (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for External Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Saturday I was privileged to attend a welcome home parade in Darwin for Australian troops: men and women who had been deployed and served in Afghanistan across 2013. More than 250 ADF personnel, predominantly members of the Army, took part in the parade, which formally recognised the service and achievements of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Task Group, Combined Team Uruzgan 4 and Combined Team Uruzgan 5—all of whom were deployed in Afghanistan across 2013.

The parade was led by members of the Royal Australian Engineers with explosive detection dog Domino, who re-enacted a route clearance mission. As we all know, this is a vital task in ensuring the safety and security of Australian soldiers during their operations.

The engineers were followed by members of Combined Team Uruzgan rotations 4 and 5, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Task Group, Force Support Unit 7, the Logistics Training Advisory Team, Artillery Training Advisory Team 2 and Armoured Core Support Elements and Force Communication Units rotations 8 and 9. They all proudly marched through the CBD of Darwin.

They were there acknowledged and welcomed by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Tony Abbott, the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Bill Shorten, the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Morrison, and many other dignitaries. There was then an affirmation by those three people in speeches they made in the Northern Territory parliament in Darwin about the importance of their contribution and the support they have from the whole of the Australian community across the political spectrum.