It’s very fitting to be here at Ground Zero.
This is an extraordinarily sombre place.
It’s really quite overwhelming to be in this place, on this spot, where some 2,900 people were killed – including 10 Australians – in one of the most horrific moments in world history.
I pay my respects to all who died that day.
I particularly acknowledge the 10 Australians who died that day.
I remember all the emergency services personnel who responded on that terrible day – particularly those who died.
I guess above all else, though, we cherish the freedom which was under assault that day.
We should never forget that the 9/11 bombers were people who hated us, who hated our way of life, because we are free people: we are countries and civilisations which believe that everyone should be free to live their own life, to worship their own god, to do their own thing.
We should cherish that way of life which is so magnificent and yet which sadly is still so hated by fanatics around the world.
[ends]