Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is with great sadness that I rise to speak on the condolence motion for Lance Corporal Andrew Gordon Jones and Lieutenant Marcus Sean Case. Their deaths on 30 May, Lance Corporal Jones at the hands of an Afghan National Army soldier and Lieutenant Case in a Chinook helicopter crash, brought to 26 the number of Australian soldiers to tragically lose their lives on the battlefields of Afghanistan. These brave and committed men died defending Australia's security in this distant but critically important conflict. Afghanistan is at the front line in the war on terrorism, and the active service of our men and women in uniform has made and continues to make the lives of millions of Australians that much more safe. It is a sacrifice that a grateful nation will never forget.

Lieutenant Case was only 27 years of age. He was based in Sydney with the 6th Aviation Regiment. He was born in Melbourne and went to school at Xavier in my electorate of Kooyong. Lieutenant Case enlisted in the active Army Reserve in 2002 and was posted to the 5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment. In 2003, he commenced commando selection and training, which included an operational tour to East Timor in 2007. He had also been deployed to Malaysia with Rifle Company Butterworth in 2005. Most recently, in January 2011, he was part of the ADF's flood relief operation in Queensland. Lieutenant Case, who was tragically killed on his first tour of Afghanistan, had been deployed there as a Heron unmanned aerial vehicle operator. I attended the funeral of Lieutenant Case, with both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, at St Bede's Church only a few weeks ago. It was a very moving ceremony, with hundreds of Lieutenant Case's friends and colleagues coming to pay their respects to this very special young man and brilliant aviator.

He was clearly much loved by his parents and five siblings. The speeches of his brothers and sisters gave us all an insight into this young man, who drew pictures of helicopters as a young schoolboy and wanted to do his bit to make the world a better place. In the words of his brother Chris: 'He knew his greatest weapon and shield was his mind. We are thankful he was born into our family.' He was also a brilliant sportsman, playing rugby abroad, and was a cherished and close friend to many. He will be sorely missed but will never be forgotten.

Lance Corporal Andrew Jones, who was 25 years of age, was also from Melbourne and also on his first deployment to Afghanistan. He leaves behind his partner and his loving parents and two younger siblings. After joining the Army in 2004 and training as a cook, he was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, later moving to the 9th Force Support Battalion and then deploying to East Timor in 2008. He was deployed to Afghanistan in November 2010. Lance Corporal Jones was a skilled cook and a respected soldier. In the words of Brigadier David Mulhall, 'He was a bloody good soldier and a bloody great cook.' He was known for his selflessness and his commitment to others.

Australia's military involvement in Afghanistan makes for a difficult time for our country, but having recently visited our soldiers in Oruzgan and Kandahar as part of a bipartisan parliamentary delegation I saw first-hand the important work they are doing in bringing security and stability to this war-torn country. It is a difficult mission, but they are making a real difference. More significantly yesterday, today and tomorrow are difficult times for the Jones and Case families. Their pain is felt by all Australians. We stand ready to support them in every way we can. They need to know that their sacrifice and that of their families is not in vain and will never be forgotten by a grateful nation. Lest we forget.

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