Barnaby Joyce (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to briefly concur with the remarks of Senator Faulkner and Senator Minchin and the remarks that will no doubt follow. It is terribly important that we recognise that the death of Private Benjamin Ranaudo was not in vain. At 22 years old, as Senator Minchin pointed out, his life was in front of him. He made the supreme sacrifice for his nation, but his family, Angelo and Jennifer and his sisters, should realise that we acknowledge completely that he engaged in a battle in Afghanistan so we do not have to engage in it here. The families of the people who go forward must always realise that we hold them in the highest respect for their supreme sacrifice and that we recognise that it is their sacrifice that keeps our nation safe. That supreme sacrifice shows their love for our nation. They engage in battles that would be terrifying to so many and they make the sacrifice. Every time it happens we must do our utmost to recognise that.

To his colleague Private Paul Warren, we pray for your speedy recovery and acknowledge also the impairments that you have suffered because of your sacrifice to our nation. To the three other civilians who were proximate, we obviously keep you in our thoughts as well. To his colleagues in 1RAR, we acknowledge the great work that you have done and continue to do in the 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force. We acknowledge you all the time, and this chamber will never, ever put aside the sacrifice that all of you make, often with your lives. We will today show that in this chamber and let you know that we keep you in our thoughts and our prayers.