Great Hall of Parliament House, Canberra31 July 2009Today we are commemorating the life of Craig Senger, our young trade commissioner who was killed two weeks ago when terrorists struck in Jakarta.
These attacks on the JW Marriott and the Ritz Carlton hotels were a shocking and senseless crime.
Craig had been in Jakarta with his wife, Kate, for just over a year. This was his first long-term overseas posting, and no doubt it was an exciting time for both of them.
A well-liked and admired figure at Austrade, Craig was a man with energy and humour with a passionate commitment to his work. As well as his professional achievements, he contributed greatly to Austrade’s social activities and sporting events.
Tributes have been flowing in from his colleagues and the business community. They show a heartfelt appreciation for his kindness as well as a respect for his determination to get the job done.
It is fitting that this service is being held in Canberra – where Craig was born in 1973, grew up, and attended the Australian National University.
At ANU he studied political science and modern history. Later, he pursued his interests in employment relations at the University of Canberra.
Craig started with Austrade in 1998 in Canberra in Human Resources and later in our South East Asia Regional Office. He then worked in key roles in Sydney where he specialised in the mining and resource sectors. During this period he undertook short assignments at our posts in Milan, New Delhi and Moscow.
So by the time of his posting to Jakarta in 2008, Craig had developed experience of the wider world and its complexity, and was ready for the challenges of being an Australian Trade Commissioner.
In Jakarta, Craig worked as the head of Austrade’s mining and energy team for ASEAN. He was helping Australian companies export and invest into South East Asia, an important role for our community.
Yesterday, there was a moving funeral service for Craig at St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Forrest.
Today it is appropriate that Craig’s memorial service takes place here in the Great Hall of our nation’s Parliament House.
Craig was a worthy servant of this nation.
On that fateful morning in Jakarta, he was pursuing the work he was so passionate about. He was attending a high-level meeting to discuss business opportunities for Australians in Indonesia.
Craig was the first Australian official to be killed in a terrorist attack while on duty.
Craig served our country and Austrade with distinction.
His loss is felt deeply by the many Austrade staff who worked alongside him. Craig inspired us and we are shocked by his loss.
It is fitting that this service is being broadcast to our posts overseas – including to our staff in Jakarta who suffer first-hand from the loss of our friend and colleague.
We shall remember Craig as a charming and kind man—a thorough professional and a genuine servant of the Australian community.
The thoughts of everyone at Austrade, and all those who knew and worked with Craig, are with his wife Kate, his mother Joan, sister Cate and their family and friends.
On behalf of Austrade I honour our colleague and friend, and offer our deepest condolences for your loss.
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