Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has marked 25 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, paying tribute to the ten Australians who were among the 2,977 people killed in the attacks on New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania.
Ten Australians among the victims
In a statement released on Wednesday, Albanese acknowledged the loss of the ten Australians, describing their lives as “tragically cut short far from home.” He said the anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the grief carried by their loved ones and to honour the courage and selflessness shown in the face of unimaginable horror.
“We acknowledge the grief carried by their loved ones. We also honour the courage and selflessness shown in the face of unimaginable horror. First responders ran towards danger to help others. Ordinary people reached for one another. In the worst of circumstances, we saw extraordinary acts of courage, compassion and humanity,” the Prime Minister said.
Reflection on resilience and remembrance
Albanese said the anniversary also served as a moment to reflect on “resilience in the face of profound loss.” He added that Australia remembers those whose lives were taken, those who survived, those lost since, and all those who continue to carry the weight of that day.
The September 11 attacks, carried out by al-Qaeda in 2001, led to the collapse of the World Trade Center towers in New York, a strike on the Pentagon in Washington DC, and a plane crash in a field in Pennsylvania. The attacks resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and triggered a global war on terror, reshaping international security policies.
Ongoing impact and commemoration
For Australia, the attacks had a lasting impact, leading to the invocation of the ANZUS treaty for the first time and the deployment of Australian forces to Afghanistan as part of the US-led coalition. The 25th anniversary comes at a time when the threat of terrorism remains a key concern for governments worldwide.
Albanese’s statement underscores the continuing significance of the day for Australians, both for those who lost loved ones and for the nation’s broader remembrance of a tragedy that changed the course of modern history.
