John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I want to make a brief statement to the Senate on the medical condition of the seven soldiers wounded in yesterday’s helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

As the Senate is aware, tragically, three Australian commandos from the Special Operations Task Group were killed yesterday. Seven were wounded in the incident involving the crash of an ISAF helicopter in southern Afghanistan in the early hours of yesterday morning. The United States has confirmed one of their personnel was killed and three other ISAF soldiers were also wounded. An ISAF civilian interpreter travelling with the Australian element was also injured.

The types of injuries sustained by the Australians include fractures, lacerations, crush injuries and a head injury. Of the seven wounded Australian soldiers the most recent assessment is that two are in a very serious condition, and one of those soldiers has sustained a serious head injury. Five soldiers are now listed as being in a satisfactory condition. Six of the seven soldiers have undergone surgery. The two soldiers in a very serious condition are in intensive care, and all are in the Kandahar medical facility. No decision has yet been made as to when any of the injured soldiers might be moved to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre in Germany, but of course it will not take place until their condition allows the move to be undertaken.

The names of the fallen soldiers have not yet been released. They will be released after Defence has approval from all the families involved. As everyone knows this is a terrible time for them and we do need to respect their privacy. The names of the wounded soldiers cannot be released as they are Special Forces and, of course, have protected identity status.

As the Senate is aware, the casualties occurred when the aircraft crashed heavily to the ground. The specific cause of the incident is yet to be determined, and it is inappropriate to speculate until the investigation into the matter has been completed. It remains the case that this incident was not caused by insurgent action. The Australian Defence Force is making arrangements for the repatriation of the three fallen soldiers later this week.