Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has marked 25 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, remembering the victims and the Australians among those killed.

Ten Australians were among the 2,977 people who died in the attacks in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. Albanese described their deaths as lives tragically cut short far from home and acknowledged the grief that has continued to be carried by their loved ones.

In his message marking the anniversary, the Prime Minister also paid tribute to the first responders who ran towards danger to help others, as well as ordinary people who supported one another during the attacks.

Albanese said the anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on resilience in the face of profound loss, while remembering those who were killed, those who survived and people who have continued to carry the impact of the day.

Australia continues to remember the 10 Australians who lost their lives in the attacks, alongside the thousands of other victims and the families and communities affected by the tragedy.

Former prime minister John Howard has also reflected on the attacks, recalling his experience in Washington DC on September 11, 2001.

Speaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast, Howard said the attacks meant “the world would never be the same” and that he quickly recognised the importance of Australia’s alliance with the United States after the country was attacked.

Howard said he believed Australia did the “right thing” by joining the United States in Afghanistan, although he was unhappy with aspects of the eventual withdrawal and described it as chaotic.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd, who also spoke on Radio National, agreed with Howard’s decision to join the allied forces in Afghanistan. Rudd said Howard “got that right” but argued that his decision on Iraq was comprehensively wrong.

Source: The Guardian