Key facts
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese honoured Australian troops for their service in Afghanistan.
- The event in Canberra marked the 25th anniversary of Australia's involvement in the conflict.
- Ben Roberts-Smith, accused of war crimes, attended the commemoration.
- Roberts-Smith was granted a variation to his bail conditions to attend.
- Over 35,000 defence force members were deployed to Afghanistan over two decades.
- 47 Australian personnel died and 263 were wounded as a result of their service.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese honoured Australian troops who served in Afghanistan, marking the 25th anniversary of the country's involvement in the conflict. The ceremony, held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, was attended by hundreds of veterans, family members, and dignitaries.
Albanese described the heroism of the more than 35,000 defence force members deployed over two decades as a fight for "who we are as a people". He recalled the world feeling upended after the September 11 attacks, which prompted Australia to support its ally.
Among the attendees was Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living soldier, who faces accusations of murdering five unarmed detainees during his deployment. Roberts-Smith denies the allegations and was permitted to attend the event after a judge varied his bail conditions. He was seated with his partner, Sarah Matulin.
Former prime ministers John Howard, Tony Abbott, and Scott Morrison, as well as Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, were also present. Australian troops served in Afghanistan until the withdrawal in 2021, with 47 personnel dying and 263 wounded as a result of their service. Thousands more allied soldiers and tens of thousands of civilians were also killed during the war.
Despite the controversy surrounding Australia's military involvement and its legacy, many veterans expressed pride in their achievements. Former lance corporal Mathew Bell, who served in 2012, recalled his unit's work in improving the region, stating, "We changed that little part of Afghanistan, that little part of the world for good."