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- 17 November 2005
Death Of Sergeant Andrew Robert Russell Death Of Warrant Officer Class 2 David Russell Nary
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The Hon. DAVID OLDFIELD [3.47 p.m.]: I move:
That this House:
(a) expresses its profound sorrow and regret at:
(i) the death on 16 February 2002 of Sergeant Andrew Robert Russell, from the Special Air Service Regiment, the first Australian killed in action while fighting in the war on terror,
(ii) the death on 6 November 2005 of Warrant Officer Class 2 David Russell Nary, from the Special Air Service Regiment, the first Australian soldier to be killed on duty in relation to the war in Iraq;
(b) expresses its condolences to the widows, families and regiment of Sergeant Russell and Warrant Officer Nary; and
(c) notes with profound respect and appreciation the service to the nation of Sergeant Russell and Warrant Officer Nary.
I hold the view that there are few things in public life more important or appropriate than to uphold and record at every opportunity the service to our nation given by those in the military forces. Whether we be at war or are enjoying the peace won by those who have fought, the personnel of our Army, Navy and Air Force do all they are asked and serve with distinction on every occasion. The history of the Australian military service is without parallel in bravery, honour and achievement. The motion of condolence, respect and appreciation that I move today is specific to Special Air Service Regiment members Warrant Officer Class 2 David Russell Nary and Sergeant Andrew Robert Russell, but it is incumbent upon us to acknowledge that there are many who have gone before them and, sadly, others who will follow in the future.
We have a debt to these brave Australians that in reality we can never pay. It is our responsibility to ensure that they are never forgotten. The members of the Special Air Service Regiment are arguably the finest soldiers in the world. They have never known defeat and they are greatly feared by our country's enemies. I have often been asked whom I admire or look up to and who are my heroes. The answer is men such as David Russell Nary and Andrew Robert Russell. We have been fortunate to benefit from the service of many who rightfully deserve to be called great Australians. Some have been politicians and some have thrilled us with their sporting prowess, while others have saved the lives of many in fields such as medical research. But for me there is no greater measure of a man or a woman than that he or she stood in defence of our country and our hard-fought-for way of life.
True Australians never give up their mates, and the conflicts our forces have been engaged in provide the very best examples of that. I expect that in this Chamber only the Hon. Charlie Lynn, through his service in Vietnam, knows what mateship under such circumstances really means. It is understood, and I quote:
SAS training is arduous and exacting. The role of the unit demands a particular type of soldier of outstanding personal qualities.
These personal qualities and make up count more than technical efficiency in an arm of service.
Technical efficiency can be taught, however the personal qualities required of long range, long term operations in enemy territory are part of a man's character and while they may be developed over a period, they must be learned in childhood.
The members of the Special Air Service Regiment are the very best of the best. We are all poorer for the loss of David Russell Nary and Andrew Robert Russell. Sergeant Andrew Robert Russell was the first of our soldiers to give his life in the war on terror. Sergeant Russell was killed in Afghanistan on 16 February 2002. Warrant Officer David Russell Nary was the first of our soldiers to give his life in relation to the war in Iraq. Warrant Officer Nary was killed in Kuwait on 6 November 2005. They died in different countries on different days, but they were in a sense brothers fighting for the same cause. Each of those brave Australians left behind a wife and family. Only those who have lived through the same kind of tragedy will be able to imagine what the loved ones of Sergeant Russell and Warrant Officer Nary are going through. The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon. Robert Hill, once said of the Special Air Service Regiment:
They have demonstrated courage and commitment in the highest tradition of the Australian Defence Force. Their skills and professionalism in difficult circumstances has been acclaimed by our coalition partners and made all Australians proud.
The memory of those brave Australians will be forever vivid in the minds of their families and friends. I commend the motion to the House.
The Hon. CHARLIE LYNN [3.52 p.m.]: I congratulate my colleague the Hon. David Oldfield on, and commend him for, this motion of condolence for two fine officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for service to Australia—one died in Afghanistan and the other in Kuwait. It goes without saying that the Coalition joins with the Hon. David Oldfield in expressing condolences to the families, wives, sons and daughters who have been left behind and who now face life without their heroes. There is no greater sacrifice that a man can make in the service of his country.
Yesterday I hosted a documentary in Parliament House on the Australian involvement in the Vietnam War. It was organised by my friends John Pritchard and Kerry Phelan and was attended by Vietnam veterans from various organisations. Yesterday a number of the veterans said they are suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome as a result of their involvement in that war more than 30 years ago. Their doctors attended also. Last year a good friend of mine, because of his service in the Vietnam War, suffered a breakdown and has had to move to the country because he cannot stand to be around large groups of people. Until then he exhibited no such symptoms. Many people just have no understanding of the fear and trauma experienced by servicemen and servicewomen. It is only appropriate that on occasions such as this we pay tribute to and extend condolences to the families of those who have died in the service of their country, to let them know their loved ones will never ever be forgotten. I wish to read onto the record a fitting testimonial entitled "A Soldier!". It is signed "Anon":
I was that which others cared not to be. I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing. I reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness should I fail. I have seen the face of terror, felt the chill of fear, warmed to the touch of love. I have hoped, pained and cried. But foremost I have lived in times others would say are best forgotten. At the very least, in later days, I will be able to say with the greatest pride, that I was, indeed, a soldier!
The families, wives and children of these two fine soldiers will be able to say that about their loved ones. As the Hon. David Oldfield said, members of our Special Air Service [SAS] Regiment are the finest of the finest. We are fighting a war without boundaries. Our SAS personnel require incredible training and personal discipline, but the one thing that keeps a soldier's flame alight while he is away from home is support from the home front. None of the veterans who attended yesterday had been to Parliament House before, and they were honoured to attend. I told them this was their home, as it is for everybody: it is the people's place and they should always feel they can walk in here at any time and be among friends who support them and their cause. We must give our veterans a sense of belonging and family. I hope the service of those two fine men is never forgotten.
Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE [3.57 p.m.]: The Christian Democratic Party and I support this important motion, which states:
That this House:
(a) expresses its profound sorrow and regret at:
(i) the death on 16 February 2002 of Sergeant Andrew Robert Russell, from the Special Air Service Regiment, the first Australian killed in action while fighting in the war on terror, and
(ii) the death on 6 November 2005 of Warrant Officer Class 2 David Russell Nary, from the Special Air Service Regiment, the first Australian soldier to be killed on duty in relation to the war in Iraq,
I particularly support the next paragraph, which states:
(b) expresses its condolences to the widows, families and regiment of Sergeant Russell and Warrant Officer Nary, and—
I also express condolence. The motion continues:
(c) notes with profound respect and appreciation the service to the nation of Sergeant Russell and Warrant Officer Nary.
It is important that the House express its sorrow and regret at the loss of these two brave men who were serving our nation. As other speakers have said—the Hon. Charlie Lynn knows more than any other member—towards the end of the Vietnam War many of our soldiers, through no fault of their own, were treated shamefully and with disrespect. This was a major factor in the mental health problems that many Vietnam veterans suffer right up to the present time. I know some of those victims and some of them are relatives of my wife, Elaine. Service men and women take it very much to heart if they feel their fellow citizens are dishonouring them. It is pleasing that the House will pass the motion. It does not makes us a militaristic nation. We are a democratic regime, but those who volunteer to serve in our defence forces, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, should know that we greatly respect them for their service to our nation.
The Hon. DAVID OLDFIELD [4.01 p.m.], in reply: I thank the House for allowing the motion to be debated and I thank honourable members for their contributions.
Motion agreed to.
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