Angus Taylor

Today is the 25th anniversary of the start of Operation Slipper – the Australian Defence Force’s first declared mission in Afghanistan in what would be our longest war.

For twenty years, under Operation Slipper and Operation Highroad, Australian warfighters helped to deny the terrorists a safe haven, to foil al-Qa’ida, to bring its leadership to justice, and to prevent further terrorist attacks from being carried out around the world and on our soil. It was right for our nation to join the war on terror.

More than 35,000 men and women of the Australian Defence Force bravely served in Afghanistan. Many still bear the wounds of their service, seen and unseen. Tragically, 47 Australians were killed.

On this anniversary, my thoughts and deep gratitude are with all those who served in Afghanistan, and especially with the families of those Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice. Your service made a difference. Your service made our nation and the world safer.

Five years after the war in Afghanistan, Islamist extremism remains a civilisational threat. It has evolved since 9/11, taken many forms, and been called many things. But it is still Islamist extremism. And we must continue to fight it with resolve – both at home and around the world with our allies and partners. And fight it we will, because we love life more than the terrorists love death.

My commitment to Australians is to keep out and root out Islamist extremism. We will protect our way of life. We remain committed to thwarting terrorism, inspired by the spirit and service of our veterans of Afghanistan.

Unlike Labor, I don’t believe government is about wielding power.

It’s about empowering its citizens.

Indeed, life is about service and responsibility – about doing something for the greater good.

My grandfather taught me that.

He was the chief engineer of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme at a time when every dam and tunnel came in ahead of time and below budget.

More than anything, I believe in hard work.

That’s what growing up on a farm within a multi-generational farming family teaches you.

And I tell you what else it teaches you:

You’ve got to know the value of every single dollar.

Every dollar matters.

No dollar can be wasted.

You’ve got to budget for every drum of drench. Every fence post. Every trip to the market.

On the farm, you must account for every single dollar.

And that’s the mentality you need whether you’re managing a farming budget or a federal budget.

Friends:

I’m no career politician.

I started and ran my own successful business.

I’ve worked across the agriculture, energy, resource, and infrastructure sectors.

I’ve advised small and large businesses on how to grow.

I’ve helped industries to deregulate and become more productive.

I know how to get Australia out of the hole Labor has put us in.

I know how to reboot our economy.

But I can’t do it alone.

Good government isn’t built around one figure.

You need a strong team.

Matt Canavan is no career politician either.

Matt and people right across the Liberal and National parties have worked and succeeded in business and industry.

And on top of a strong team, we have a strong plan.

A plan to fix our economy and to protect our way of life.

October 7 was the greatest loss of Jewish life on a single day since the Holocaust. And it should not be forgotten that Hamas vowed to repeat their savagery many times over until Israel is annihilated.

Tonight in Bondi, on the third anniversary of Israel’s “9/11”, we remember those who were murdered, those who survived and are still living with the horrors of that day, those who endured the most unimaginable captivity, and those families who are still grieving the loss of loved ones.

Our prayers and abiding friendship are with the brave people of Israel, and with our Jewish community who are dear and valued Australians. We are with you, always.