Hinkler MP Keith Pitt says Australia and its allies have worked hard to secure peace in Afghanistan

Hinkler MP Keith Pitt has spoken on Australia’s role in aiming to secure peace in Afghanistan as the Taliban takes control.

Hinkler MP Keith Pitt says recent scenes from Afghanistan are difficult for those who dedicated their careers and lives to the cause.

Australia is proud of its veterans.

That’s the message from Hinkler MP Keith Pitt as chaotic scenes unfold in Afghanistan as the Taliban takes control.

Taliban fighters poured into Kabul on Sunday as panicked locals attempted to flee on US military aircraft - some falling from planes as they clung to landing gear during take-off.

Families were seen hugging loved ones as they boarded one last commercial flight out of the country on Sunday.

Thousands of allied soldiers from nations including the US and Australia, lost their lives and were wounded in the 20-year fight to bring democracy to Afghanistan following Al Qaeda’s September 11 attacks.

“Australia, our partners and allies have done much to secure peace in Afghanistan and our veterans should be proud of the role they played,” Mr Pitt said.

“ They answered Australia’s call, did what was asked of them and served with honour. Australia is proud of them.

“Over the last 20 years, Australia has been a steadfast contributor to the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan. “Australia‘s efforts, alongside those of the international community, gave Afghans a chance for a better future.”

Sapper Jacob Moerland, one of two Australian soldiers serving with the 1st Mentoring Task Force in Afghanistan, who were killed in an explosion while on patrol in Taliban hotspot near their Mirabad Valley base on June 7, 2010.

The conflict in Afghanistan has not been without heartbreaking sacrifice in the region.

It claimed the life of Gayndah soldier Sapper Jacob Moerland in 2010.

At the time, his heartbroken mother Sandy said the 21-year-old, who had only been in the army for three years, had died doing a job he loved.

“He went to Afghanistan not because he had to, but he thought it was a valuable job to help the people in Afghanistan,” his mother told the Courier Mail at the time.

Mr Pitt acknowledged that the current situation in Afghanistan was a difficult one for Australians to see.

“The situation in Afghanistan is confronting to watch and understandably upsetting for the almost 39,000 Australian Defence Force personnel who answered the call to serve, and the families of the 41 Australians who died in the service of our country,” he said.