Bob Baldwin (Paterson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

As I rise today in support of this motion of condolence, it is important that we pause to reflect on the contribution of those brave, patriotic, professional soldiers—namely, Trooper David Pearce, Special Forces Sergeant Matthew Locke and Special Forces Commando Luke Worsley. These men were Australia’s finest, and they made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom, democracy and security for the people of Afghanistan. Our Australian Defence Force personnel play a key role in fighting terrorism at its source as a part of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force. Around 970 Australians play a key, pivotal role in supporting the democratically elected Afghan government in their struggle against the Taliban extremists.

Australian soldiers are internationally respected. They are proudly ranked amongst the very best in the world. But the price paid by these fine Australians and indeed their families is very high and incomprehensible to many of us. Trooper David ‘Poppy’ Pearce was serving with the Reconstruction Task Force when he died on 8 October 2007. A son of Liverpool in New South Wales, he started his career in the Australian Army late in life, as a 36-year-old, when he joined the reserves in 2002. Three years later it became his life when he joined the Regular Army after serving in the Solomon Islands, hence the name ‘Poppy’ Pearce. Trooper Pearce served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Queensland Regiment in the Solomon Islands in 2005-06 before being posted to the 2/14 Light Horse Regiment in October 2006. The tragic incident occurred when Trooper David Pearce was driving an ASLAV returning from an engineer reconnaissance task six kilometres from the base in Afghanistan.

There were tributes from his colleagues. One, from Lieutenant Colonel David Wainwright, the Commanding Officer of the Reconstruction Task Force, said in part:

David’s dedication and commitment to our mission in southern Afghanistan was typical of his willingness to help others. Words will never go close to express his efforts, his legacy will endure and he will never be forgotten.

Lieutenant Gavin Vague, the Troop Leader, said:

You could not find any other individual who adequately sums up the legacy of the Australian soldier. A brave, motivated, hardworking and loyal soldier. A true character that could bring a smile to the men during the hardest of times.

Special Forces Sergeant Matthew Locke, also known as ‘Locky’ or ‘Grub’, was killed on patrol on 25 October by small arms fire from Taliban extremists and is the first Australian soldier to be killed by direct enemy gunfire since the start of this war on terrorism. Sergeant Locke was involved in Operation SPIN GHAR, which directly supported an International Security Assistance Force and Afghan national security forces operation to target and clear Taliban extremists from the area around Tarin Kowt, in the Oruzgan province.

Sergeant Locke joined the Army in 1991 and was a high achiever. During his 16-year military career—10 years of which he spent in the elite Special Air Service Regiment—Sergeant Locke completed active service in a number of operational theatres as well as being awarded the Medal for Gallantry last year for his gallantry in hazardous circumstances.

A professional, dedicated, decorated soldier, during his service in the Australian Defence Force, Matthew was awarded the Medal for Gallantry, the Australian Active Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Australian Defence Medal, the United Nations Medal with the United Nations Transitional Authority East Timor Ribbon, the Iraq Clasp to the Australian Active Service Medal, the International Coalition Against Terrorism Clasp to the Australian Active Service Medal, the Infantry Combat Badge and the Returned from Active Service Badge.

To understand the bravery of Sergeant Locke, I will read an extract from the Medal for Gallantry citation:

In one such incident the Anti-Coalition Militia attempted to outflank the Observation Post and Sergeant Locke without regard for his own personal safety, led a two man team to locate and successfully neutralise the Anti-Coalition Militia in order to regain the initiative and protect his patrol from being overrun.

…         …         …

Whilst deliberately exposing himself to intense rifle and machine gun fire from the Anti-Coalition Militia, he again neutralised the lead assaulting elements whilst suppressing other Militia until the arrival of offensive air support. Whilst still under sustained fire, Sergeant Locke then directed indirect fire to effectively neutralise another Anti-Coalition Militia advance on his patrol’s position. The courageous and gallant actions of Sergeant Locke were instrumental in regaining the initiative from the Anti-Coalition Militia and allowing the successful exfiltration of the patrol on foot prior to first light the next day.

Sergeant Locke’s actions of gallantry whilst under enemy fire in extremely hazardous circumstances, displayed courage of the highest order and is in keeping with the finest traditions of Special Operations Command-Australia, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

To his wife, Leigh, and 12-year-old son, Keegan, we owe a great deal of gratitude.

Private Luke Worsley was killed by small arms fire while participating in a planned attack by our forces against Taliban leaders. Private Worsley enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in October 2001. He served in East Timor as part of Operation CITADEL and had previous service in Afghanistan with Delta Commando Company Group. This was Private Worsley’s second tour of Afghanistan. He qualified as a commando in 2004. Those that speak highly of him include Lieutenant Colonel Mark Smethurst, who said in part:

Luke’s actions upon entering the room, warning of the enemy threat, almost certainly saved the lives of other members of his team.

The tributes that were paid at the funeral of Luke were in a dimension that most people could not understand.

Luke was also a very dedicated and decorated hero. For his service in East Timor and Afghanistan, Luke was awarded the Australian Defence Medal; the Australian Active Service Medal, with clasp ‘East Timor’; the United Nations medal, with the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor ribbon; the International Coalition Against Terrorism clasp; the Afghanistan Campaign Medal; the Infantry Combat Badge; and the Return From Active Service Badge. Luke was also awarded the Unit Citation for Gallantry for his service with the Special Operations Task Group in 2006.

These fine men have become part of Australia’s history. Perhaps what best sums up the contribution and fears of our serving men is a poem that was read at Luke Worsley’s funeral service. I would like to read it into Hansard. It is called The Final Inspection:

The soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass,

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.

‘Step forward now, you soldier,

How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?’

The soldier squared his shoulders and

said, ‘No, Lord, I guess I ain’t,

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can’t always be a saint.

I’ve had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough,

And sometimes I’ve been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here,

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears.

If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,

It needn’t be so grand,

I’ve never expected or had too much,

But if you don’t, I’ll understand.’

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod,

As the soldier waited quietly,

for the judgment of his God.

‘Step forward now, you soldier,

You’ve borne your burdens well,

Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,

You’ve done your time in Hell.’

The Liberal Party support this condolence motion because Australian soldiers are the finest that have ever been seen.

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