Mr ROBERT (Fadden) (14:24): I join the Acting Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Defence in honouring Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald and Private Nathanael Galagher, who were tragically killed in action when their ISAF helicopter crashed in Helmand Province in the early hours of 30 August. I pass on my condolences to Lance Corporal McDonald's fiancee, Rachael; his mother, Myrna, and stepfather, Bernie; and his brothers, Percy, Roger and Gary; and to Private Galagher's partner, Jessie; parents, Wayne and Sally; and sister, Elanor. Not since the Battle of Nui Le in Vietnam on 21 September 1971 has Australia lost five men in a 24-hour period. Forty-one years ago in Vietnam, the five men killed in action were from the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. In Afghanistan 11 days ago, these two young soldiers whom we honour today were from the 2nd Commando Regiment, which three years ago was known as the 4th Battalion. The 4th Battalion in both its classic infantry and its recent special forces role has paid a high price in its service for our nation. Twenty-seven of its finest men have been killed in action in its two tours in Vietnam. Ten commandos have been killed in action in Afghanistan and one more in predeployment training. This underscores the high-risk work of the commandos as they operate as part of the Special Operations Task Group within Afghanistan. They are heavily armed, rapidly mobile and acquit themselves magnificently in their fight against insurgent leaders and their command and control networks. Commandos are ferocious in battle. They ask no quarter and they most certainly do not give any. It is little wonder that in Afghanistan the Commando Regiment has been awarded the Unit Citation for Gallantry and the Meritorious Unit Citation. Its commandos have received six Distinguished Service Crosses, 11 Distinguished Service Medals, seven Medals for Gallantry and three Stars of Gallantry. This is the unit, these are the peers and the mates, of Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald and Private Nathanael Galagher. This is their story. They were tough. They were disciplined. They were combat veterans who operated in the dark and fought in the shadows. They knew the tremendous risks and took them anyway, because this is the soldier's way—this was their way. We mourn their loss. Honourable members: Hear, hear! The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms AE Burke ): As a mark of respect, I ask all present to signify their approval by rising in their places. Honourable members having stood in their places— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I thank the House. Debate adjourned.