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Australian Constituency - by Craig Hill

Media Release By Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of an Australian soldier in Afghanistan. This brave soldier, wearing the uniform of Australia died the field of duty wearing his nation’s uniform and wearing it with pride.

On behalf of the Government, I extend my condolences to his family and to his friends and to his loved ones. Our prayers and those of the entire nation are with his family and his friends and his loved ones on this most tragic of days.

In accordance with the wishes of the family, the soldier’s name will not be released at this stage.


This soldier was killed when Taliban insurgence engaged an Afghan forward operating base. And Australians were present and they came under rocket attack. Sadly, as a result of this incident today eight brave Australian soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan, fighting Taliban insurgents.

Our troops in Afghanistan are doing dangerous and difficult work and this work continues, it continues as we speak here today. They are in the field, they are doing their job for Australia and it is dangerous.

I’ve said before that there is no higher calling for any Australian than to wear the uniform of Australia. And on a difficult and tragic day such as today, we are reminded of the cost of wearing that uniform - and that is to ultimately surrender your life for your country. And that is what has happened.

Fighting the war in Afghanistan continues as an important part of the fight against terrorism, the fight against Al Qaeda.

It is also part and parcel of our obligations to our allies and friends, given that this war in Afghanistan began following the terrorist attacks on September 11 by Al Qaeda resulting in the murder of thousands of innocent civilians.


My thoughts, my prayers go out to this young man’s family. The nation grieves with his family today. The nation grieves with his comrades today. The nation grieves with his friends today.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Australian Soldier Killed
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
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Australia and Bangladesh have formally agreed to work together against terrorism in South Asia.

The Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry of Bangladesh, Mr Abdul Karim, together with Australia’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mr Douglas Foskett, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism. The signing ceremony took place in Dhaka.

The Memorandum will facilitate greater cooperation between Australia and Bangladesh to prevent and suppress international terrorism. It will provide a framework for operational agencies to cooperate in areas such as information and intelligence exchange, law enforcement activities, money laundering and the financing of international terrorism, and the development of effective counter-terrorism legal instruments.

Stephen Smith


Australia and Bangladesh have developed a constructive and expanding relationship both bilaterally and in the international arena since Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971. We have strong trade, people-to-people and sporting links and Australia has a significant development cooperation program with Bangladesh.

The Australian Government is also sending three election observers to help monitor Bangladesh’s 29 December national elections. Australia will also provide approximately $1 million to support the Asia Foundation’s election program in Bangladesh.

Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, will be monitoring the elections a part of a delegation from the National Democratic Institute and Federal Member of Parliament, the Hon Dr Sharman Stone, will monitor the elections as part of the Commonwealth election observer mission.

Australia has concluded bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation MOUs with thirteen countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Fiji, East Timor, Pakistan, Brunei, India, PNG, Afghanistan and Turkey. The conclusion of the MOUs reflects the importance Australia and its partner countries place on close and effective cooperation between governments against international terrorism.

Media Release Stephen Smith (Minister For Foreign Affairs)
28th December 2008
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