I rise to solemnly inform the House in the presence of family and our military chiefs

that the 100th Victoria Cross has been awarded to an Australian.

This award is to the late Corporal Cameron Baird, already an iconic figure in our army, who had earlier received

the Medal of Gallantry. As the citation reads, his Victoria Cross is, for most conspicuous

acts of valor,

extreme devotion to duty,

an ultimate self-sacrifice at Gourchuk village in Urasgan, province, Afghanistan,

as a commande team leader.

He was on his fifth Special Forces Tour when he was killed in the action for which he was awarded

the Victoria Cross.

On the 22nd of June last year, in the first phase of the engagement, Corporal Baird and his team came under heavy fire

on three separate occasions from well-prepared enemy positions.

In the initial encounter, six enemy combatants were killed and weapons caches were captured.

In subsequent encounters, Corporal

Baird charged enemy positions and neutralised them with grenade and rifle fire. By drawing

fire on himself repeatedly, he enabled other members of his team to regain the initiative.

In the second phase of the engagement, Corporal Baird then led an assault on an enemy-held compound.

On three separate occasions, under heavy fire, he forced the door of the building.

Twice he was forced to withdraw, to reload and then to clear his rifle.

For the third time he entered the building,

again drawing fire away from his comrades who were able to secure the objective.

Tragically, he was killed in this final assault.

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