Kelly O'Dwyer (Higgins, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

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Private Lambert was killed on night patrol on a mentoring mission with the Afghan National Army in the Khas Oruzgan region just north-east of Tarin Kowt. Private Lambert’s career in the Australian Army commenced in the Army Reserve in 2005 before he went full-time in his service of our country in 2007. As I understand it, his loss is the first loss that 2RAR have experienced since the Vietnam War—that is, the first loss of a military serviceman in action. We think now of Private Lambert’s wife, his family, his colleagues and his friends. We are devastated for them that they have lost a loved one and we are also devastated for our country that we have lost a great Australian who has served our country very dutifully and well. We will never forget him and will forever be grateful for his sacrifice.

I would also like to take the opportunity to recognise the other 28 Australian soldiers who have given their life during their service in our campaign in Afghanistan: Sergeant Andrew Russell, Trooper David Pearce, Sergeant Matthew Locke, Private Luke Worsley, Lance Corporal Jason Marks, Signaller Sean McCarthy, Lieutenant Michael Fussell, Private Gregory Sher, Corporal Mathew Hopkins, Sergeant Brett Till, Private Benjamin Ranaudo, Sapper Jacob Moerland, Sapper Darren Smith, Private Timothy Aplin, Private Scott Palmer, Private Benjamin Chuck, Private Nathan Bewes, Trooper Jason Brown, Private Tomas Dale, Private Grant Kirby, Lance Corporal Jared Mackinney, Corporal Richard Atkinson, Sapper Jamie Larcombe, Sergeant Brett Wood, Lance Corporal Andrew Jones, Lieutenant Marcus Case, Sapper Rowan Robinson and Sergeant Todd Langley. We thank you for your service to our country. We thank your families for their sacrifice. Lest we forget.

Finally, I would also like to record our gratitude to the 3,280 active service men and women who are serving our country overseas at this point in time in Afghanistan, East Timor, Egypt, Iraq, the Middle East, the Solomon Islands and also Sudan. We are thinking of you and we wish you to come home as speedily and safely as possible after your tour of duty.

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