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

[by video link] Twenty years ago the al-Qaeda terrorist organisation, being harboured in Afghanistan, was putting the finishing touches on its 9/11 hijacking massacre operations. On that fateful day, 2,977 people, from nearly 100 different countries, of whom 10 were Australians, died. More than 6,000 were injured, with many scarred for life. This barbaric shedding of innocent civilian blood was as brutal as it was brazen. Any self-respecting nation could not allow such a travesty to pass without a strong, definite response.

To root out this network of terrorists, military action was, regrettably, required. With the removal of the Taliban regime came the dismantling of the al-Qaeda network. The removal of al-Qaeda's safe haven within Afghanistan and the destruction and dismemberment of this horrific terrorist organisation were much needed. A question to which we will never know the answer is: how many other attacks and resultant thousands of deaths and injuries would have occurred but for the blocking out of this truly horrid organisation by military action?

As we reflect on the 10 Australians cruelly killed on 11 September, we can be thankful that we had Australians willing to serve and sacrifice—41 of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect us and other freedom-loving peoples from similar attacks. Those who served in Afghanistan should be the beneficiaries of our universal admiration for blocking out al-Qaeda; we are all the beneficiaries. For those who gave so much in the cause for freedom and are battling to come to grips with the events in Afghanistan: remember that Open Arms veterans and families counselling is available 24 hours a day on 1800011046. (Time expired)