Andrew Nikolic (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I congratulate and join the member for Solomon in acknowledging the service of more than 30,000 of our troops who have deployed to the Middle East since October 2001. As someone who deployed on the first commitment to Afghanistan in 2001, I was reminded that 12 years had passed when I welcomed my daughter Captain Julia Nikolic back home from her second tour of Afghanistan late last year. 12 years is a long commitment in any war. During that time, we suffered 260 serious casualties and 40 of our troops were killed fighting Taliban insurgents.

Accordingly, I acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of our troops and their families. Their contribution has been not only to safeguard our country but to help deliver a better future for the people of Afghanistan and the Middle East. I acknowledge also the internal struggle now being waged by many veterans—private issues often exacerbated by isolation, both real and perceived. As a parliament, as a community, we can and must do more to understand and lessen their burden through practical and inclusive engagement with the veteran community. We and our predecessors in this parliament sent these people to war. We must and will now aid their recovery from wounds, whether physical or psychological. We must and will continue to honour and thank them—an example was the heartfelt public thanks of the Prime Minister when speaking to 250 Darwin-based veterans newly returned from Afghanistan in late 2013—but we will seek to do so in a very Australian way, which is practical, low key and plain speaking, and which befits, as it were, the pragmatic nature of its audience. And while the troops may not admit to it publicly it is generally appreciated by them.

With this in mind, the government intends holding a national day of commemoration on 21 March 2015 to recognise Australian troops who served in Afghanistan and the Middle East area of operations and to affirm our pride and continuing support for the Australian Defence Force as one of the most highly trained, professional and respected military forces in the world. We are lucky to have them, and to enjoy the safety and wellbeing that our troops, both past and present, have helped deliver. Their service—their sacrifice—is very literally our life and liberty.

In closing, please allow me one final reflective comment about defence families, a subject of which I have precious personal and practical experience. Very regrettably, defence families are sometimes forgotten when it comes to public recognition. But, for all intents and purposes, they have arguably the most to lose in any military commitment. Because of this, partners and children also serve—and at times suffer—when this House places their loved ones in harm's way. And, later still, when the fighting has stopped, they are often left to put the pieces back together, to reshape family life completely after the death of a loved one or to help restore war ravaged sensibilities. For the most part, the only real means these families have to achieve this, is unconditional love, support, and understanding. They know better than most that war changes everything it touches, most especially human beings. In war, nations and statesmen win, lose or eventually agree the status quo and go home. But individuals, and especially families, always lose. The result is often quiet suffering, largely hidden, and an enduring and melancholy reality and future. In Australia's case the burden is now carried exclusively by professional military volunteers and their families. The age of large conscript armies is forever history. That is why a number of our veterans have done as many as 10 combat tours in Afghanistan. We in this House would all do well to remember these practical realities.

On that note, it gives me much pleasure to acknowledge and honour our troops. I commend their sustained example and that of their families as being one sublimely etched by service, sacrifice, honour and purpose beyond self. Theirs is a very high standard, matched by some, but never bettered. Our recognition of them, their commitment and dedication is the very least they deserve. I thank the House.

See this speech in context