Foreign Policy

Kevin Rudd has offered his condolences following the death of an Australian soldier in Afghanistan.

Click the Play button to listen to Rudd:

This is the transcript of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s press conference:

PRIME MINISTER:

I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of an Australian soldier in Afghanistan. This brave soldier, wearing the uniform of Australia died the field of duty wearing his nation’s uniform and wearing it with pride.

On behalf of the Government, I extend my condolences to his family and to his friends and to his loved ones. Our prayers and those of the entire nation are with his family and his friends and his loved ones on this most tragic of days.

Continued

An Australian soldier has been killed in a rocket attack in Oruzgan Province in Afghanistan. He is the eighth Australian casualty in Afghanistan since 2001.

The announcement was made in Canberra by the Chief of the Defence Foce, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston.

Click the Play button to listen to ACM Houston’s press conference.

This is the text of a media release from the Defence Department.

An Australian soldier in Afghanistan has been killed in a rocket attack whilst conducting operations in Oruzgan Province.

Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Angus Houston, said the soldier was killed early yesterday evening, Australian time.

Continued

The New Zealand National Party leader, John Key, has claimed victory in today’s general election.

Key said the road ahead for New Zealand may be “rocky” and called for national unity. “Now is the time for working together,” he told supporters.

Key announced that he had spoken to minor party leaders and secured their support for forming a new government.

The new Prime Minister entered Parliament in 2002, after a career in investment banking. He became leader of the National Party on November 27, 2006.

Click the Play button to listen to John Key’s victory speech: