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Australian Constituency - by Craig Hill

Defence House of Representatives - Australian Constituency

First Ever Victoria Cross for Australia Awarded

January 21st 2009 14:44
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd this week commended the valour of Trooper Mark Donaldson, with the presentation of the first Victoria Cross for Australia. Trooper Donaldson was honoured for his bravery in Afghanistan in 2008.

In a media release, PM Rudd said "This is a truly historic day. Trooper Donaldson’s bravery will forever be engraved in Australian history. Generations of school children will now know of the story of Trooper Mark Donaldson.

It is a story all Australians should know. It is a story of a hero – one which will be told in classrooms, workplaces and watering holes for many years to come.


Trooper Donaldson’s courage and selflessness in the face of such unspeakable danger is not only a great tribute to him and his family – it epitomises the spirit of the Aussie digger.

The soldiers that he saved will be forever indebted to him. The nation will be forever indebted to him."

SAS Trooper Mark Donaldson Australia Victoria Cross
SAS Trooper Mark Donaldson Australia Victoria Cross


Trooper Donaldson received the award for his actions in Afghanistan on September 2 last year, when, under heavy fire, he ran 80 metres to save an interpreter for the coalition forces and carried him to safety under sustained and accurate shooting.


The Victoria Cross is the highest possible award for acts of bravery in wartime, ahead of the Military Cross. Queen Victoria instituted the award in 1856 and made it retrospective to cover the Crimean War.

It is 40 years since a Victoria Cross was presented to an Australian. The last Victoria Cross (Imperial) was awarded on 24 May 1969, to Warrant Officer Keith Payne VC OAM for gallantry during the Vietnam War.

In 1991 the Victoria Cross for Australia replaced the Imperial Victoria Cross.
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Public Works Committee Hearings $793 Million Defence Project

January 19th 2009 09:29
The Parliamentary Public Works Committee will conduct hearings on $793 million worth of new facilities proposed by Defence for Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, RAAF Base Amberley, Brisbane , and six other locations to support the needs of Enhanced Land Force Stage 1.

The project proposes to provide accommodation and training facilities and site infrastructure upgrades, primarily to support the relocation of the 3 rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment from Sydney to Townsville. It is proposed that accommodation facilities be provided at Kapooka, Singleton, Holsworthy and Puckapunyal and joint facilities provided at RAAF Bases Amberley, Edinburgh and Richmond.

Chair of the Committee, Mark Butler MP , welcomes public participation in the inquiry. ‘This project proposes a significant investment for a number of Defence bases around the country,’ Mr Butler said, ‘it is important that the community has their say on these developments. The Committee needs to know if local residents will be impacted by these proposals to ensure that they are in the best interests of the whole community.’
The Committee will be conducting a public hearing on the proposal in Townsville on
22 January 2009 and is inspecting a number of sites proposed for development. ‘The Committee will use this hearing to assure itself of the worth of the proposed project across all locations and to ensure that Defence can address concerns raised with the Committee by the public’ Mr Butler said.

Public Hearing 12.30pm, Thursday, 22 January 2009

Venue: Garden Room C, Mercure Inn, Woodcock Street, Townsville

APH Media Release
19th January 2009

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Australian Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

January 5th 2009 13:50
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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