PRIME MINISTER

13 October 2013

TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER THE HON. TONY ABBOTT MP ADDRESS TO HMAS NEWCASTLE WELCOME HOME CEREMONY, HMAS KUTTABUL, SYDNEY
E&OE. It is an honour for me on behalf of a grateful and respectful nation to say thank you to the men and women of the HMAS Newcastle. And particularly to say thank you to you, their friends and family for the support and encouragement that you have given to your loved ones. As the Admiral has just reminded us, this is one of 55 Australian Naval deployments to the Middle East area of operations. This is the fourth time HMAS Newcastle has deployed to the Middle East. The work that the HMAS Newcastle has done is important work for our country and the world. Your loved ones have been protecting our interests, upholding our values and supporting our citizens. Your loved ones have been in a great tradition of Australian military commitments to the Middle East: the Light Horse in Palestine, the second Australian Imperial Force in the deserts of north Africa and more recently our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our forces go forth to do good, and HMAS Newcastle has done well in the Middle East over the last six months. We are proud of the men and women of the HMAS Newcastle. We are also proud of you their families and loved ones. Our military forces can only go abroad with the support of the people of Australia and no one supports our military forces more than their families and friends. It is always difficult when your loved ones are away.
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As the Admiral has pointed out you, too, have served our country. You, too, have made sacrifices for our country. They also serve who wait for their loved ones to return. Thank you so much on behalf of our country. [ends]

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