E&OE..........................................................................................................................
Thank you very much Major Evans. To Kim Beazley and General Baker.
Before I say a few words of my own I would like to read a message
from the Governor-General as follows:-
"My thoughts are very much with the members of the Australian
Defence Force who are leaving for overseas today. Can I ask that you
tell them that they leave with my warmest good wishes and my prayers
that they have a successful mission and a safe return".
Ladies and gentlemen I want to say a few very simple things to you.
I want, first of all, to express my personal thanks and that of the
Australian people for the fact that, first of all you have devoted
your life to the Australian Defence Force. And the contribution that
all of you have made to the training, the rigour, the discipline and
the lifestyle of the Australian Defence Force is something that I,
and I know that millions of your fellow countrymen and women appreciate
very much.
I want to thank you very much for the mission that you are about to
undertake. You are undertaking a mission for a good cause. It is in
the interests of civilised countries that the sort of conduct of the
Iraqi leadership is not allowed to go unchecked. And there is a very
strong moral case for the ultimate use of military force if it becomes
necessary. And it is not something that is remote and unconnected
from Australia, it is something that in the long run if not dealt
with can have serious consequences for our country.
We still hope at this stage that it won't be necessary to use
force and we continue to support the diplomatic efforts that are now
under way. But it is very important that we be willing, if necessary,
to use force. The authority and the reputation of the United Nations
is also very much involved.
I know that you will have mixed feelings. In many senses this mission
is a fulfilment of the years of training and so forth in your regiments.
And it will be seen by many of you as the kind of thing for which
you have trained. I know as professional soldiers, professional men
and women, you will be aware also of the risks that are involved.
And that is something of which your Prime Minister and your Leader
of the Opposition and I know the Chief of your Defence Force and your
fellow Australians are also very much aware.
You can go overseas knowing that you have behind you the most superb
training imaginable, and something that is so tremendously important
to you and it will be a source of great sustenance and support. And
I can say that you go overseas with our goodwill, our support, our
good wishes. I know that inevitably the families you leave behind
will feel a sense of anxiety. In the best way possible we will all
try and share that and to help them.
You will go overseas with our good wishes. And may I say to all of
you, that God's speed, a safe return, a very successful mission.
You go with the good wishes and the goodwill of an immensely proud
Australian nation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for what you are doing for a just
cause, thank you for what you are doing for Australia. My thoughts
will be with you constantly over the weeks ahead.
Thank you very much.
[Ends]