Shearer David: Motions — New Zealand Defence Force—Deaths of Lance Corporals Pralli Durrer and Rory Malone in Afghanistan 2012 Olympic Games—Success of New Zealand Team 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Shearer David: Motions — New Zealand Defence Force—Deaths of Lance Corporals Pralli Durrer and Rory Malone in Afghanistan 2012 Olympic Games—Success of New Zealand Team 
[Sitting date: 14 August 2012. Volume:682;Page:4290. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
DAVID SHEARER (Leader of the Opposition) 
: 
 On Saturday I attended the memorial service for the two brave young New Zealand soldiers who tragically lost their lives on 4 August while serving in Afghanistan. It was a moving experience to hear the families of Lance Corporal Pralli Durrer and Lance Corporal Rory Malone talk about the contribution these men made to their communities to the Defence Force and to our country. Both of their commanders spoke also of their enthusiasm in the army and the respect they earned from their mates who served alongside them. Their families are proud of them and so are we as a nation. 
Rory Malone is remembered as a quiet student with a wicked sense of humour who just got on with things. His steady determination continued when he entered the army in 2002. His great-great-grandfather Lieutenant Colonel William Malone was the commanding officer of the Wellington Infantry Battalion at Gallipoli who died at Chunuk Bair. He led his troops with much bravery. Rory showed the same family courage under fire. He reportedly dragged his company commander to safety before sadly losing his life helping another fallen comrade caught up in the battle. 
Pralli Durrer was a Southern Man born in Invercargill growing up in Christchurch. He is still remembered at his primary school as being a shining star. He survived the initial attacks supporting his comrades under fire. Sadly he was wounded and passed away en route to the base at Bagram. 
These soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice. They lost their lives doing what they believed in and we will always remember them for that. They are our heroes. Six other New Zealand soldiers were also injured in the attack. We wish them a speedy recovery. We also thank the Dutch German and American air forces which came to their aid in the aftermath of the attack. 
The deaths of these two young men come almost exactly 2 years to the day since New Zealand’s first fatality in Afghanistan when Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell was killed in the same area during an attack on his patrol. It is fitting that we remember him today along with all those New Zealanders who have died in Afghanistan and in other conflict zones around the world serving our country. They gave their lives trying to make the world a better place. 
Often these soldiers make an impact that is largely unseen. We look at the Bamian Province. How many kids are alive today simply because their work allowed vaccinations to happen? How many women survived childbirth because stability in the province brought about by their efforts ensured those women could get to hospital? Or the numbers of children—especially girls—who have attended school and now have possibilities for a much better life more than they had before. 
We thank our soldiers for doing us proud for contributing to peace and for contributing to making a better world. We respect and honour the sacrifice they have made we mourn their loss and we will never forget them. Our prayers and sympathies today are with their families. Rest in peace.