General Peter Cosgrove AC,
Chief of the Defence Force

Dear General Cosgrove

I am writing to express the Government’s gratitude – and I am sure that of the entire nation – for the magnificent support Defence has provided in response to the tragic bombings in Bali.

We have come to expect a very high level of professionalism from the ADF in everything it does, but the speed and effectiveness with which it dispatched aircraft and medical teams to Bali to treat the survivors and bring them back to Australia was outstanding. The ADF has a long history of coming to the assistance of the Australian people at times of national emergency, and the current operation is very much part of that tradition.

The calm professionalism with which ADF medical personnel and aircrews have gone about their work in such harrowing circumstances has no doubt saved many lives. I am sure it has been of great comfort to the victims of this appaling attack and their families and friends.

Please pass my thanks and those of the Government to all those personnel involved.

Yours sincerely
Senator Robert Hill
Minister for Defence

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