Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—I join with the Prime Minister and thank him for his fine words. I associate the coalition with the sentiment of the Prime Minister's remarks. I would say to all Australians of our generation, and our kids and grandkids who are travelling around the world this very day and who do so in the name of our country as ambassadors for our country, visiting friends and family, backpacking and going to different causes around the world: in the run-up to this Anzac Day: think about including in your itinerary a visit to one of the war memorials or one of the Commonwealth graves. There are sites around the country. It doesn't matter whether you're in Asia or in Europe. I note the way in which the Australian government over generations, since the First World War, has been able to establish those cemeteries, those most sacred places which mark the sacrifice provided to Australia to keep us the great country that we are. Over 100,000 people perished in our country's name. People this very day are out there defending our values and our way of life.

So please take just an hour or so to go and visit what is an impeccably kept memorial to those men and women of the Australian Defence Force. The reason that we can celebrate life today, and the reason that as young teenagers you can move around the world freely, is the sacrifice that they made for our country. Honour them in that way, not just between now and Anzac Day but always. The Prime Minister and I had the great opportunity, as does the Minister for Defence and as did our predecessors in that portfolio, to commemorate the sacrifice on a regular basis. That service is here in Australia but abroad as well, and it is one of the most moving, touching things that you can do with your children—to include on your itinerary as you travel overseas just a moment to mark and respect the sacrifice that those Australians made in our name.

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