Senator CHRIS EVANS (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) (2:04 PM) —by leave—All Australians will be deeply saddened to learn that an Australian soldier was killed yesterday in Afghanistan. At the request of the soldier’s family, his name will not be released at this time, but I can inform the Senate that he was serving as a member of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force. He died while his patrol and their Afghan National Army colleagues came under attack by Taliban insurgents. The government has been advised that no other Australians were wounded in the engagement.

As a result of this incident, nine Australian soldiers have now, tragically, lost their lives in Afghanistan. Afghanistan remains a highly dangerous place, but it is a central part of our ongoing fight against extremism. We should always remember that, in the past, international terrorism found a safe haven in Afghanistan under the Taliban. We cannot allow this to happen again. The government remains committed to confronting the ongoing threat from international terrorism and bringing greater stability to Afghanistan. It is a very sad day and we are again reminded that some who wear Australia’s uniform make the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. I would like to extend our best wishes to those still serving in Afghanistan and to their families, who, I know, will be worrying about their safety.

I am sure all senators join me in extending our thoughts and best wishes to the soldier’s family at this very, very difficult time. On behalf of the Australian government, I extend my condolences to the soldier’s family, his friends and of course all his ADF colleagues, who will feel the loss very deeply.