EDINBURGH DEFENCE BASE

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Can the minister tell the house about his recent visit to Australian troops currently serving in Afghanistan, particularly those from our local Edinburgh defence base?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:53): I thank the member for Taylor for her question and acknowledge her ongoing interest in the welfare of the soldiers from 7RAR who are based at the Edinburgh superbase in her electorate.

The SPEAKER: Ongoing?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Indeed. As state Minister for Veterans' Affairs, I was privileged to join commonwealth parliamentary colleagues and visit young South Australians defending our nation on the front line in the Middle East. The trip was difficult to coordinate and I would like to thank Wing Commander Stephen Crawford of the office of Military Strategic Commitments in the Department of Defence for his patience and the effort he and his colleagues put into planning my trip.

I left Adelaide on 2 April and travelled to Al Minhad Air Base in Dubai where I was met by Major General Michael Crane, Commander, Joint Task Force 633. I came under military control at Al Minhad Air Base. I was privileged to see young South Australians from different walks of life doing their nation's bidding in a most professional way. Members may not know but there are many South Australians deployed in the Middle East. These include the South Australian members of the Royal Australian Navy serving in the Gulf. The Royal Australian Air Force is represented by 462 Squadron, 87 Squadron and 1 Radar Surveillance Unit and 92 Wing.

The largest Army commitment from South Australia is that of 7RAR task group. When the 7RAR task group deployed to Afghanistan, the Premier and I were pleased to be at their farewell parade at Edinburgh on 13 October last year. The deployment of 7RAR was the first deployment of an infantry battalion on active service from South Australia since 3RAR deployed to Vietnam from Woodside in 1971. This was the third deployment for 7RAR.

The 7RAR task group is an immensely impressive group. I saw them in the field and marvelled at their courage and their professionalism. I was greatly impressed by the young men employed in mine clearance. They are inspirational young men, some just out of their teens. Their youth struck a chord with me when I observed their dedication and the danger they faced every single day and I realised soberly that several are only a few years older than my eldest daughter.

The mission of the Australians, especially that of 7RAR, has changed since they deployed overseas. Originally their role was to be a mentoring force that accompanied their allies, the troops of the Afghan National Army, into the field on operations. The role is now one of advising. Having said that, some members of 7RAR are employed on security duties, protecting civilian workers, while others are employed on convoy protection.

The men and women of the Navy, Army and Air Force will return to us later this year. We will all have a special responsibility when that occurs. First, we must ensure as a government and as a state that we welcome them home appropriately, that every one of us shows our appreciation for a job well done. We also have another task: to care for these young men and women and the challenges that will present as they adjust to post active service life and reintegrate with their families and community. That is probably the larger of the two tasks and one I will seek to address with all my capacity.

I extend my gratitude and respect to the commanding officer of 7RAR, Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Wells, the executive officer of the 7RAR task group in Afghanistan, Major Malcolm Beck, and the force commander, Major General Michael Crane DSC AM. My thanks also to Captain Oowan Davies and Captain Scott Minion of 7RAR for escorting me during my time in Tarin Kowt. I would like to mention Major Graeme Palmer, the battalion second in command, who has done so much to ensure that everything on the home front at Edinburgh runs smoothly.