Fed: Australia must continue fight against terror: Turnbull
05 Jan 2009 12:52 PM
SYDNEY, Jan 5 AAP - The loss of another Australian soldier in Afghanistan is deeply saddening but the nation must continue its fight against terrorism, Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull says.
The male soldier, who has not been named by authorities, was killed instantly when a rocket landed in a compound in Oruzgan Province on Sunday evening, Australian time, the defence department said.
The soldier is the eighth Australian Defence Force member to be killed in the troubled Middle Eastern country.
"I was very sad to learn of the death of an Australian soldier in Afghanistan," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
"He was bravely defending the values of liberty and democracy on which our nation was founded.
"He died wearing our uniform, serving under our flag.
"On behalf of the opposition, I extend our deepest sympathies to his family, to his friends and to his comrades in arms."
Despite the latest casualty, Mr Turnbull said Australia must continue its military presence in Afghanistan.
"The Australian forces are doing a vital role in Afghanistan defending the values on which our nation was founded," he said.
"We cannot take a backward step in the battle against terrorism."
