Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

The body of fallen commando Lance Corporal Todd Chidgey has been paid its last respects. He has returned home and he was buried yesterday with full honours, as he should be. When he passed away, Chief of Army Lieutenant General David Morrison said that Lance Corporal Chidgey was a loyal mate and a talented and professional soldier, and his loss would be deeply felt by all who knew him. He said:

He died while in the service of our nation in an operational theatre, and today we are honouring this service as we grieve his passing.

Lance Corporal Chidgey died in a non-combat related incident in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 1 July 2014. He was a member of the Australian Defence Force headquarters in Kabul serving as part of the protective security detachment providing protection for a senior Australian officer. He was from the 2nd Commando Regiment. He was born in Gosford, New South Wales, and he was 29 years young.

I just heard the eloquent speech given by the previous speaker, the member for Herbert, who talked about the great dedication of this fine soldier, and also the fine work that Legacy does in helping families in the grieving process and many years after the passing of any of our brave warriors. Certainly, Legacy will be there in the hours of need in the days, the weeks, the months and the years ahead.

Lance Corporal Chidgey joined the Australian Army in March 2006 under the Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme following initial training at Army Recruit Training Centre Kapooka. I am joined in the chamber by a former commandant of that fine establishment, the now member for Bass, Andrew Nikolic. He was the head of the ARTC at Kapooka in 2004 and 2005. He knows full well the dedication, the service, the sacrifice—all the attributes that make fine soldiers and which are passed on to those men and women who pass through Blamey Barracks at Kapooka. He knows because he saw it in the eyes of those recruits as they marched out proudly, the sun gleaming on the bright buttons on their wonderful khaki uniforms at those great passing out parades. Certainly, there are no finer people in this nation than those who don a khaki uniform, those who don any military uniform, in the service of our great nation.

Lance Corporal Chidgey's postings included the 4th Battalion (Commando), the Royal Australian Regiment and the 2nd Commando Regiment. He also received a number of honours and awards since joining the Australian Army, such was his dedication, such was his great service.

At the time of his death—as I said, 29 years young—he was enlisted on his sixth tour of Afghanistan. We should just reflect on that: 29 years young; six tours of that strife-torn, war-torn country. His death in Kabul brings the total number of Australian soldiers who have died in Afghanistan to 41 since 2002: 41 families left to grieve, 41 sets of friends left to grieve, and the Australian Army, a family in itself, mourning the loss of those fine warriors.

He was a fine Australian soldier, who dedicated his adult life to serving our country. He was regarded for his professionalism, his strong work ethic and his composure under fire. He was farewelled yesterday at a service on the Central Coast, his home district, where his commanding officer described him very appropriately as a dedicated commando and as a loyal friend, the kind of person who would do anything for his mates. 'We should celebrate his service, his life and his contribution to ensure a better world and keep this in our minds as we mourn his passing,' his commanding officer said. Mateship, honour, service, sacrifice—they all embody the spirit of Anzac. They all encompass what those fine recruits from Kapooka do when they pull on the khaki uniform.

Lance Corporal Chidgey's family described him as a man who put his family first. He would often be found enjoying time with his brothers or cheering on his favourite National Rugby League side, the Canterbury Bulldogs, with his family and friends. That is what he loved doing. He also loved being beside his mates in the Army. He loved doing what he could to make this world a better place. Lest we forget.

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