Statements by Senators: – Hamilton Island: MhR-90 Taipan Crash
Senator BABET (Victoria—United Australia Party Whip) (13:48): I rise to express my deepest concern for
members of the 6th Aviation Regiment, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Captain Danniel Lyon, Corporal Alexander Naggs and Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Laycock.
These men were flying in a Taipan helicopter, which unfortunately crashed on Friday off the coast of the Whitsundays. At the time they were serving Australia in Operation Talisman Sabre, a multinational training operation.
I can only imagine what their families and their friends are going through right now. I’m not going to prejudge what has happened or why—there will be a time for that in the coming days and weeks—but what I will say is that these men represent the very best of Australia, the very brightest, the bravest and the most patriotic. Every day, like every member of our Defence Force, they put Australia first and they put their lives on the line to defend and to protect our nation.
I know I speak for every single Australian when I say to their families: we are proud of your sons. We thank
you for their service. We thank them for their service. We pray for them and we pray for you. God bless you all and God bless Australia
