Barnaby Joyce (Queensland, National Party, Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

In speaking to this condolence motion I rise also to concur with the remarks made with regard to Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson. He was part of a patrol to the west of Tarin Kowt. He lost his life. Not only has he left behind a bereaved fiancee, Dannielle, but also he is a loss to his family—to his father, Ross; mother, Kate; and brother, James.

With the loss of Corporal Atkinson we also see the loss of a person who was really at the cusp of so much that would have been ahead of him in life—his impending marriage and all those dreams that we take for granted. He lost and sacrificed that because he believed in what our nation had asked him to do in a foreign land. There have been so many tragic deaths—so far, 22 have lost their life—in this endeavour. These people do it so that we do not have to engage with the enemy on our shores. As they always say, ‘You seek out and close with the enemy,’ and that is what Corporal Atkinson was doing. Corporal Atkinson came from Hobart and, as Senator Abetz properly portrayed him, he had so much to offer right from the word go. He was a person who, with his sporting ability, had so much promise. He was a person of good character and he willingly laid that on the line for his nation and he paid the supreme sacrifice.

Australia will never forget those who have served our nation, nor are we ever able to repay what they have offered. Of course, we can ensure that we give the best support that we can to those who have been left behind following the tragic death of Corporal Atkinson and let them know that, like those who have also been maimed and who have also paid the supreme sacrifice, this chamber will continue in the remembrance of their service and will continue to lend whatever support, in the many and varied ways that the people in this chamber do.