Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Sadly, this parliament and this nation again pause and reflect upon the ultimate price that one of our brave soldiers has paid so that we and others may live in peace. We honour the death of another fallen soldier. In doing so, we are reminded of the sacrifice these men and women gave and continue to give to citizens of other nations so that they can experience the freedoms we mostly take for granted each and every day.

When our service men and women leave this country to serve overseas they know in their hearts and in their minds, and we appreciate it, that it comes with an element of great risk. Unfortunately, that knowledge does little to ease the pain or reduce the shock when the terrible news arrives that one of our soldiers has fallen.

Sergeant Brett Matthew Wood was the 24th soldier to be tragically killed in action in Afghanistan. We must feel comfort in the words of recent Victoria Cross for Australia recipient, Ben Roberts-Smith, who said, 'There is no doubt we are making progress for the people of Afghanistan. We make that progress because of the sacrifice and dedication of our soldiers.' Sergeant Wood was a decorated soldier who had been deployed to Afghanistan in March this year on his third tour of duty. Sergeant Wood had also served in Bougainville in 2000, East Timor in 2001 and in Iraq in 2003. Awarded the Medal for Gallantry for leadership in action as team commander on his tour in Afghanistan in 2006, Sergeant Wood became the man on whom many could rely and who would live and die by his motto 'foras admonitio'—without warning. On Monday, 23 May 2011 Afghanistan time, without warning, Sergeant Wood was tragically killed as a result of an improvised explosive device. Five other soldiers, two of whom were with Sergeant Wood and some of whom were critically injured, suffered wounds as a result of separate actions in Afghanistan over that same tragic 24-hour period in which our courageous digger died. My thoughts go to them and their families for the frightening realisation in which it could have easily been anyone one of them who lost his life. This must indeed bring home the reality of the dangerous jobs that they do each and every day.

The spirit of the Australian Army is strong and the camaraderie which binds them together will help them all get through these tough times—tough times which have claimed another two brave souls since Sergeant Wood's death. So our thoughts are also with the brave Australian men and women who are carrying on the work that Sergeant Wood did in Afghanistan. They will miss their mate dearly. We can be very proud of the work they are doing. They are a tight-knit group who look after each other. I know this because my home town is Wagga Wagga—home of the soldier, the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka.

Just 32 years young, Sergeant Wood leaves behind a loving wife and a loving family. In the words of Brett's grieving widow, Elvi:

Brett was extremely proud to be part of the 2nd Commando Regiment and he considered many of his colleagues to be his second family. He was an excellent soldier, a true leader and a friend to his entire unit. Brett, you have done your country proud and you will always be remembered.

Sergeant Brett Wood, in the words of St John and in a line chiselled into so many war memorials dotted right across this country: 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'

To walk away from Afghanistan now would be an injustice to the 26 Australians who have laid down their lives for their friends. There must be no safe haven for terrorists. There must be no nursery for terrorism. We must continue to fight the good fight with our American and other allies. We must stay the course. We must continue to do our duty to serve, to play our part. Sergeant Brett Wood, lest we forget.

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