The loss of 41 lives and deployment of 39,000 Australian troops in Afghanistan was not in vain, despite the Taliban regaining its power.
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That's the message Braddon Liberal MHR Gavin Pearce who wants to ensure veterans and their families understand.
"It wasn't done in vain. It was done for freedom and it was done to protect the risk of a terrorist attack on Australian soil and they have achieved their mission," he said. "We are very proud of them.
"They have reinforced in the eyes of the international defence community the fact that Australian troops are extremely competent, extremely lethal and a force to be reckoned with, particularly given the complexities of that area of operation."
Mr Pearce, who served in the defence force for 20 years including a period in East Timor, said it was important to remember the reason Australians were originally deployed to Afghanistan.
"The reason that we went into Afghanistan with the Yanks was to go after Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda," he said. "We were there as counter-terrorism, what we weren't there for was for a counter-insurgency nation-building mission.
"We went there because of 9/11 and the threat of terrorism activity on Australian soil or on US soil and I am very proud of the fact that because of our mission and because of that sacrifice that Australian troops have made and because of that investment we haven't seen a terrorist attack on Australian soil or US soil in the last 20 years.
"As far as I am concerned that effort was not in vain."
The 20 years of stability and opportunities for women was an achievement to be proud of, Mr Pearce said.
"There were women and children being murdered and being beheaded and treated like cattle and not able to go to school," he said. "That has all changed. We have tried to articulate that message to those that have served."
Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Andrew Gee said anyone who served in Afghanistan should reach out for support.
- People can call Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling 24 hours a day on 1800 011 046.