SMITH, CORPORAL SCOTT JAMES

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (14:03): I move:

That the House of Assembly expresses its deep regret at the tragic death of Corporal Scott James Smith of the Barossa Valley, who lost his life serving our country in Afghanistan, places on record our appreciation of his dedication and service to our nation, and as a mark of respect to his memory the sitting of the house be suspended until the ringing of the bells.

It was just over two weeks ago that we gathered at Unley Oval to commemorate the 10^th anniversary of the Bali bombings. We know that, for the Bali bombing and for the more than 100 Australians who lost their lives in terrorist attacks since 9/11, each of those attacks had a link to Afghanistan. Each of those attacks involves someone who had been trained there, trained in bomb making, trained in the ways of terrorism. Our commitment to the stabilisation of a nation that has been the training ground for terrorist organisations that have threatened and killed Australian citizens is not without its challenges. The price of our commitment in Afghanistan has once again been made very real to us with the death of Corporal Scott James Smith, whom we honour and remember today.

On Sunday 21 October 2012, elements of the Special Operations Task Group were conducting a disruption operation against a network of insurgents in Helmand province. Corporal Scott James Smith was involved in clearing a compound area when an improvised explosive device detonated, killing him instantly. Scott was a combat engineer. He joined the army in 2006 and in 2008 was posted to the Special Operations Engineer Regiment, where, in a short period of time, he developed into one of our nation's most promising special service soldiers.

He was just 24 years of age, born in 1988, yet by the time of his death he had already served in the Army for almost seven years and had completed previous tours of Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands. He was a recipient of a number of awards, including the Australian Active Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Australia Service Medal and the NATO International Stabilisation Assistance Force Medal.

Corporal Scott James Smith was one of us. He was a product of the Barossa Valley, where he attended Faith Lutheran School. The Australian Defence Force has described him as an exceptional soldier who possessed all the qualities and charisma of a great junior leader. He has been described by his unit as a genuine, honest and dedicated member who was probably one of the best junior non-commissioned officers that the unit has seen.

Perhaps the most incisive analysis of Scott's character came from his family. They spoke of his altruism, his dedication and his firm belief that his actions truly did make a difference. They also spoke of his larrikin charm, his cheeky smile and his kind words. Mostly, they said they will remember his lovable character that endeared him to all those around him.

His community remembers him as a man of substantial character and leadership skills, particularly when the chips were down. In summary, this young man was the real deal, and now he is gone. I cannot begin to imagine the profound grief that has befallen Corporal Scott Smith's family: his partner, Liv; his parents, Katrina Paterson and Murray Smith; his sister, Roxanne; his Army mates; and his many friends in the Barossa community and especially at Faith Lutheran College. They are all deeply in our thoughts today.

Corporal Scott's death brings to 39 the number of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan. The roll of honour grows longer and our hearts grow heavier. Losses on the battlefield are true tragedies. While they might disappear from the headlines in newspapers and on the radio after a few weeks, they will always remain devastatingly real for the families. Corporal Scott James Smith's contribution and sacrifice will be always be remembered. Lest we forget.

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:07): I rise to second this motion and on behalf of the South Australian Liberal Party offer our most sincere condolences to the family of Corporal Scott James Smith: his mum and dad, Katrina and Murray; his sister, Roxanne; and his partner, Liv. For those of us here today who are parents, it is almost unbearable to contemplate the loss and suffering the family is currently enduring. It is a loss made no less profound by the fact that it is shared by many: Scott's friends, his Army mates and the wider Australian community. Our nation has lost a fine young man in the service of us all.

However, in the passing of a young man we must try to remember and celebrate all that he did, for Scott Smith was a man with a lot to offer, who gave life everything before giving his life. Obviously, I did not know Scott personally. However, in tributes to him I have learnt of a fresh faced Barossa Valley boy, a youngster who grew up with a permanent smile on his face, a practical joker who relished the role of larrikin, and a reliable son and brother who was the glue that held his family together. It will be these memories, I am sure, that will help those who loved him the most cope with their tremendous grief.

Australia's war effort in Afghanistan has now claimed 39 lives. These fallen soldiers, all someone's husband, son, dad, or brother, have sacrificed their lives to make ours better. Each death is a tragedy. Each one brings home to us all the extreme risk facing our servicemen and women each and every day they are on deployment.

When I read tributes or news reports from Afghanistan, it is encouraging, and indeed uplifting, to learn that among the coalition troops, the Aussies are often considered the most professional and the best. I have long held that view and have often remarked upon the ability of our soldiers to build positive relationships with locals, even against a backdrop of conflict. They are soldiers who will not leave your side when the going gets tough, when the unit is under fire, when survival becomes the very essence. It is the Australian spirit. Scott Smith was one of these soldiers.

Scott was on his second deployment to Afghanistan, a special forces soldier, indeed a member of the highly regarded Special Operations Engineer Regiment. Despite being only 24 years old, he was considered by his peers as one of the best junior non-commissioned officers the unit had ever seen. Scott knew the risks. He was not a soldier to enter conflict without being fully briefed and prepared, and he also very strongly believed that what he and his comrades were doing on the harsh battleground of Afghanistan (and, more specifically, the northern Helmand province) was making a real difference. He never questioned the importance of the struggle, he never doubted, and he never dodged the duties that he was given, no matter how risky or grave they may have been.

It was on duty on 21 October on a joint Australian-Afghan compound clearance and disruptive mission against insurgents that Scott lost his life. He was killed instantly by that most feared of weapons, the unseen but deadly improvised bomb, the IED—an improvised explosive device—in other words, a crude, homemade explosive cocktail often hidden by the roadside and responsible for two-thirds of coalition troop deaths since the war began 11 years ago.

This is the work of many Australian Army troops, scouring the valleys and the ridges on foot patrol and in the air and in armoured mine-clearing vehicles. The risk of death is ever present. It is the mark of the man that, for Corporal Smith, it was an environment in which he thrived in spite of the incredible risks. His physical, moral and emotional courage were unsurpassed. One need only consider his outstanding military honours and awards to appreciate this courage and commitment.

He had been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with clasp International Coalition Against Terrorism; the Afghan Campaign Medal; the Australian Defence Medal; the Army Combat Badge; the Australian Service Medal for an earlier deployment in the Solomon Islands and, again, for counterterrorism and special recovery; the Army Soldiers Medallion; and the NATO International Stabilisation Assistance Force Medal with Multi-Tour Indicator.

He was an exceptional soldier and he set the bar high. His dedication was a magnificent example to those fortunate enough to serve alongside him. One of his senior officers said in tribute, 'Scott was a fine soldier, a good bloke and a wonderful Australian.' One of his comrades I think summed it up best when he said, 'Scott's sense of obligation, his sense of loyalty and his sense of purpose made him the epitome of the calling of the combat engineer.' Our thoughts are with Scott's family as we remember and pray for a young soldier, a good man who was fighting to make the world a safer and better place. I commend the motion to the house.