Ann Sudmalis (Gilmore, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you for this opportunity to speak on the repatriation of the remains of Australian servicemen from the Terendak Military Cemetery. Prior to a change in the Australian repatriation policy on 21 January 1966, service personnel who died overseas after the Second World War were interred in the closest practicable 'Commonwealth' cemetery, unless the next of kin elected to have the remains returned to Australia at their own expense.

While this decision provided for the repatriation, from that date, of the remains of all Australians who had died in the Vietnam War, to Australia, if the family should so wish, the decision was not retrospective. Australia deployed more than 60,000 servicemen and women to the conflict in Vietnam between 1962 and 1973, with 521 Australian names listed on the Australian War Memorial's roll of honour. Of these 521 Australian war dead from the Vietnam War, 26 are buried overseas: one in Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore; one in Ireland, consistent with the wishes of the family; and the remaining 24 are interred in the Terendak Military Cemetery in Malaysia. A further six have had their ashes interred or scattered overseas. One of Gilmore's Vietnam veterans, Ian Hughes, was himself on a burial party and has since been back to pay respect to his old commanding officer, Major Badcoe VC. Mr Hughes commended to me the importance of the repatriation of servicemen from Terendak Cemetery. He expressed his concern that families were not able to tend the graves and honour their fallen heroes.

On 25 May 2015, the Australian government announced its intention to offer to repatriate the remains of 35 Australian servicemen and their dependants from the Terendak Military Cemetery, in Malaysia, and return them to Australia, subject to the individual wishes of the families concerned. The Prime Minister announced that they would be repatriated with full military honours. I am proud of the government's decision on this repatriation, which seeks to right the inequity of the Vietnam era repatriation policy, a policy which remains a long-standing grievance in the Vietnam-veteran community.

As a nation it will give us the opportunity to 'put this right'—as we did with all those others who died in the Vietnam War—and bring these men home. The offer follows extensive consultation with the RSL, the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, the Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia and veterans' families. As the member for Gilmore I am often afforded the great honour to attend services honouring our servicemen and women who have served their country. These services are such a respectful experience, often greatly supported not only by those who are directly related to those who served but also by the younger generation—our local schools, family members and young people wishing to show their respect. They understand the importance of respecting those who died to give us the lives we live, in this beautiful country of ours.

This initiative of repatriation will offer the families of those Australians buried at Terendak Military Cemetery the opportunity to bring their remains home where they can have unrestricted access to their graves. The exhumation operation is anticipated to occur in May 2016 with repatriation to Australia around the middle of next year. The Australian government will respect the wishes of the families who choose to leave their loved ones resting where they currently lie. I understand that the Malaysian g0vernment has pledged its support and offered to assist with the repatriation wherever possible.

I cannot explain to you the full impact that this policy change will have on our Vietnam veterans and their families. Imagine, if you will, a group of servicemen and women sent by the Australian government to a war that was being socially debated as one in which Australia should not have been involved. Imagine the bond these Defence personnel built as a result, for the only people they could completely depend on, rely on and trust were their comrades in the field of battle. Imagine their sense of abandonment when they returned after the close of an unwinnable war, where they were socially shunned and abused and their only support was that of those who shared the same experience.

I have a close friendship with a group of Vietnam Vets in Gilmore. They ride motorbikes, they wear leathers and they are an amazing group of men. I am deeply touched by the level of loyalty and connection that they share with each other. When Trapper had a motorbike accident recently—he was hit by a vehicle that was going down the highway at speed—his mates Dee Kay and Dingo were beside themselves as they were not able to accompany him to hospital

They were not able to the make sure his colours were left by the roadside. Such is the level of their comrade-in-arms bond. You can fully understand how critically important it is not to leave your battle buddies behind. The repatriation of the remains at the wish of the families of those who are buried in Terendak is not only the right thing to do, it is essential to honour those who have passed and those who are still living, for they have an unbreakable bond with their fallen.

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