PRIME Minister John Howard says he feels direct responsibility for the death of Australian soldiers. Mr Howard will attend a full military funeral in Perth today for Sergeant Matthew Locke, who was shot and killed by Taliban forces in Afghanistan last week.
"I think about it a lot because I'm the person in the end who sends men and women into battle," Mr Howard told Sky News. "I feel a very direct responsibility for any death or injury that occurs on the field of battle and it's the greatest burden that anybody has to carry and discharge.
"I feel deeply for his family and thatÂ’s why I want to be there to directly and personally express my sympathy and that of the Australian nation to Mrs Locke and her son Keegan and itÂ’s a terrible loss for them and he was a wonderful soldier.
My Howard said he had met Sgt Locke previously. "HeÂ’s a member of a wonderful regiment in a great ADF that has the admiration of Australia and after this interview I wonÂ’t be doing anymore campaigning today," Mr Howard said.
"I will go to the funeral in Western Australia and that will be it."
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd will also attend today's funeral.