Teresa Gambaro (Brisbane, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship and Settlement) Share this | Hansard source

It is with much sadness that I rise this afternoon to speak on this motion of condolence on the deaths of Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic, Sapper James Thomas Martin and Private Robert Hugh Frederick Poate. These three men were based at Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera and their loss has had a devastating impact on the Defence community in Brisbane. I recently telephoned Brigadier Greg Bilton, Commander of the 7th Brigade, to offer my sincere condolences. He just confirmed to me how devastated the Defence community was. The Defence community is tightly knit and, particularly in the Enoggera area, enjoys the support of the local community as well.

As we know, these three soldiers were killed in an absolutely appalling green on blue attack on Australia's worst day in Afghanistan. It has been noted that not since the Battle of Nui Le in Vietnam on 21 September 1971 has Australia lost five men over a 24-hour period. Following the deaths of two other soldiers in a helicopter crash on the same fateful day, Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan now number 39.

Lance Corporal Milosevic joined the Army at 36. He was awarded Most Outstanding Soldier and, during his junior leader course, he was presented with the award for Trainee of Merit. He was promoted relatively quickly to lance corporal and in his four years of service he fought both in Iraq and in Afghanistan. The family's statement upon hearing of this terrible loss had this to say:

Rick was a typical Australian bloke, friendly, with a dry sense of humour and a natural charm. He had a comfortable ease. He would show respect to everyone he met.

We are all proud of what Rick was able to achieve—not only as a soldier, but as a loving partner, devoted father, son and brother.

I extend my condolences to his partner, Kelly, daughters Sarah and Kate, and his mother, brothers and sisters for their loss.

Sapper James Martin was remembered by his family as a loving son, brother and grandson. He took great pleasure in playing the guitar. He loved to read books regularly and was also an avid gamer. He loved playing cricket and he liked to watch a game of AFL with family and friends. He enlisted in the Army as a combat engineer and was on his first tour of duty. There is a lovely story about his first letter home from Kapooka, where some of his mates were homesick and were discussing pulling out of the really tough training. Kapooka is a very tough environment. I have visited on many occasions. Putting aside the coldness of the place, James wrote to his family saying, 'I will not give up this opportunity for anything. I will be an Australian soldier.' Such passion, determination and courage is truly admirable. His death is felt by all Australians but especially his mother, Suzanne, his sister, Holly, and his brother, Angus.

Private Robert Poate enlisted in the Army in 2009 and was also on his first tour of duty. He was initially posted as a rifleman to the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 6RAR, before completing specialist training as a protected mobility vehicle commander. In a statement the Department of Defence said:

He will be fondly remembered by his ‘Brothers by Choice’ in 6 RAR as a larrikin and an incredibly professional soldier.

Private Poate, as we heard earlier from the member for Fraser, who spoke about attending Private Poate's memorial service, was a Canberra Grammar Old Boy. He is survived by his parents, Hugh and Jenny, and his sister, Nicola.

All three soldiers were deployed to Afghanistan with the 3RAR task force. These three soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and history will record them as true Australian soldiers. I want to pay tribute to their families. I know that they have made the ultimate sacrifice. Many will have opinions about how long we should stay in Afghanistan, but what is very clear is that we need to stay the course. We need to stay there until the mission is completed and we need to continue the fight against terrorism. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these fine Australians. We honour their service and we salute their contribution. May they rest in peace.

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