STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE
Mr TAYLOR (Hume—Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): I join the Prime Minister in commemorating the 25th anniversary of Australian service in the war in Afghanistan, and, of course, I was privileged to be there yesterday at the War Memorial, at that commemoration. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, in America's darkest hour, Australia stood by our ally and our dear friend.
On 14 September, showing moral clarity and leadership, John Howard invoked ANZUS, and, soon after, Australia joined a multinational mission to take the fight to al-Qaeda. For 20 years, under Operation Slipper and Operation Highroad, Australian warfighters achieved many things. They helped deny the terrorists a safe haven.
They helped destroy al-Qaeda. They did lead-up work that helped US Navy SEAL Team 6 take out Osama bin Laden in May 2011. And they helped prevent further terrorist attacks from being carried out around the world and on our soil.
It was right for our nation to join the war on terror. My thoughts and deep gratitude are with the 35,000 men and women of the Australian Defence Force who served in Afghanistan and especially with the families of those 47 Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their service made a difference and made our nation and the world safer.
Can I acknowledge the members for Canning and Herbert—patriots, who were there on the front line. We thank all our veterans of Afghanistan for their service and sacrifice. Many still bear the wounds of their service, seen and unseen.
We owe them a debt that can never be repaid, but our nation will never forget and will always honour what they achieved. I thank them most sincerely for the role they played in fighting Islamist extremism. We must never relent in that fight, inspired by the spirit and service of our veterans of Afghanistan.
Five years after the war in Afghanistan finished, Islamist extremism remains a real threat, a civilizational threat. It has evolved, taken many forms and been called many things. We must continue that fight with resolve, both at home and around the world, with our allies and partners.
And fight it we will, because we love life more than those extremists love death. Lest we forget.