Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—On behalf of Family First, it is with great sadness that I acknowledge the death of Lieutenant Michael Fussell, who was killed last week serving his country in Afghanistan, and express condolences to his family and friends. Lieutenant Fussell was just 25 years old and, by all accounts, was a gifted and talented young man who had a lot to live for. He was the seventh Australian to die serving in Afghanistan. It is important that the Senate notes Lieutenant Fussell’s death and the death of each and every one of the military people killed serving their country. Each life lost in Afghanistan, whether an Australian or not, is one of immeasurable value.

Family First does think that Australia has an important contribution to make to bringing stability and peace to Afghanistan’s citizens and to cutting the risk of terrorism being exported from that country. When we speak about the war against terror, it can seem like a conflict with a very vague and undefinable enemy. But, really, this is a war against the Taliban, against Al-Qaeda and against other relatively small but very dangerous groups. We only have to look to recent events in Mumbai to see that terrorism, even though it is in another country, is a very real threat to Australians. It is important that extremism of this violent minority is not allowed to succeed. Lieutenant Fussell’s life was not lost in vain. Family First’s thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.

Question agreed to, honourable senators standing in their places.