Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—Yesterday evening, the ADF lost one of its finest. Warrant Officer Lachlan Muddle died in a parachuting accident at the ADF's parachute school at Jervis Bay. Warrant Officer Muddle was involved in a midair collision with another parachutist, which resulted in his death. The other parachutist received minor injuries. Both of them were deeply experienced parachutists. They had both done in excess of thousands of jumps, and they were participating in a six-week-long advanced parachuting training block. As a result of last night's accident, for the moment, parachuting in the ADF has been paused.

Lachlan Muddle joined the Australian Army in 1994. He was a member of the Special Air Service Regiment, the SAS, and he qualified for the SAS in 2007. He was deployed on five separate occasions, including to Afghanistan. He was an expert sniper. He was a seriously experienced special forces soldier. He's remembered for his sense of humour and for his commitment to service.

As a result of last night's accident, a series of investigations will now take place, both within the Defence Force and beyond. It's really important that they are as thorough as possible so that every necessary lesson is learnt here. Let me say that the Defence Force trains as it fights, and, necessarily, there is risk in Defence Force training, and so Lachlan Muddle's sacrifice is every bit as meaningful and significant as that of those we have lost on the battlefield. This afternoon, our thoughts are very much with Lachlan Muddle's family and with his defence family, the SAS, who I know will be feeling his loss acutely.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to 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.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As a mark of respect to the memory of Warrant Officer Lachlan Muddle, I ask all to rise in their places.

Honourable members having stood in their places—

I thank the House.