00:00For the past 10 years, my family and I have been subject to a campaign to convince Australians
00:07that I have acted improperly in my service in Afghanistan.
00:12As I have always maintained, I categorically deny all of these allegations, and while I
00:18would have preferred these charges not be brought, I will be taking this opportunity
00:23to finally clear my name.
00:27I am proud of my service in Afghanistan.
00:30While I was there, I always acted within my values, within my training, and within the
00:36rules of engagement.
00:39I would also like to say that I am extremely proud of all of the men and women that served
00:44alongside me in Afghanistan, and their service and sacrifice should never be forgotten, particularly
00:51those who made the ultimate sacrifice, many of whom were my friends.
00:58I would like to thank my partner Sarah, my beautiful daughters, my mother and father, and all
01:06of Sarah's family for their unwavering support and for standing by me during this difficult
01:11time.
01:12I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the millions of Australians who have
01:18reached out to me publicly and privately to offer their support and well wishes.
01:23It means a great deal to me and is extremely humbling.
01:29I understand this is an unprecedented case and the public interest is huge and the media has
01:34a job to do, which they should be allowed to do, but I would ask that the media please
01:42allow my family their privacy at this time, particularly my children, who have already unfortunately
01:49suffered through a deliberate sensational arrest that was made last week, an unnecessary spectacle.
01:59I understand this journey will be long, I understand this journey will be difficult, but I can
02:06promise everybody that I have never run from a fight in my life, I will never give up, and I
02:15will
02:16always be in the fight.
02:19Thanks so much.
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