Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I would like to make a statement relating to the awarding of the 100th Victoria Cross for Australia. Australia's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross for Australia, will be awarded posthumously to the late Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird MG. On 22 June 2013, Corporal Baird displayed conspicuous valour, leading to the ultimate sacrifice, in close combat with a determined enemy as a commando team leader in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. He repeatedly drew enemy fire away from his team members and charged enemy positions under heavy fire. His actions enabled the enemy to be neutralised and his team to be kept safe. This award is in recognition of his most conspicuous acts of valour, extreme devotion to duty and ultimate self-sacrifice.

The Victoria Cross is inscribed with the words 'For Valour'. Corporal Baird's actions were in keeping with the very finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force. He is an Australian hero and, if I might say, a Tasmanian hero, being a Burnie boy by birth. Corporal Baird's Victoria Cross for Australia will be presented to his parents, Doug and Kay Baird, at a ceremony at Government House next Tuesday by the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Hon. Quentin Bryce AC, CVO. Corporal Baird will be Australia's 100th Victoria Cross holder.