Liberal MP urges truth on Afghanistan war

Keith Wolahan, who replaced the former longest-serving member of the lower house Kevin Andrews at the May election, used his first speech to share his story of serving in the Australian Defence Force.

He said the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center pushed him to complete three combat tours in Afghanistan.

"My greatest honour was leading a platoon of Australian soldiers in combat," he said.

"They were brave, they were kind and they did Australia proud."

Mr Wolahan urged parliament to "take stock" of the war in Afghanistan, particularly following the withdrawal of troops in 2021 and the fall of the nation to the Taliban.

"The stocktake must also preference truth telling over myth making (and) from the allegations in the Brereton Report report to the fall of Kabul we have a duty to face up to all that happened," he said on Monday.

"If we answer that question with honesty, then we will have demonstrated that ours is an open and accountable democracy (and) that is something worth fighting for."

Mr Wolahan said he had not entered parliament to make a career, but rather to make a difference.

"Moved by gratitude, I have not come here to tear down institutions but to nourish them," he said.

"Moved by duty, I have not come to act in my interest but the national interest."

Meanwhile, newly elected Liberal-National MP Henry Pike said he made "no apologies" for being a social conservative.

Mr Pike, who represents the outer metropolitan seat of Bowman in Queensland, pledged to uphold the sovereignty of the individual during his time in parliament.

"We are sent here by the Australian people to serve them, not the other way around," he said.

"Australia is great because her people are great and Australia is at her greatest and most prosperous when individuals are allowed to flourish without the long arm of government creating unnecessary obstacles."

Australian Associated Press