Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On Christmas morning in Darwin—in fact, across Australia—everyone came together as a community to remember and commemorate, in small ways and big, the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy. I thank the Prime Minister, the Governor-General and the Chief of the Defence Force—who is himself a survivor of Cyclone Tracy—for joining us in Darwin. The stories of survivors left a long-lasting mark on everyone. As the Prime Minister has said, even only last week, one of the best things he's done in his life was to be there at that anniversary. It was a very moving experience. It was a significant shame that no-one from the federal coalition could put politics aside and turn up for the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy, but there you go.

I take this opportunity to recognise Major General Alan Stretton, a significant Australian, for his leadership in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy. While his decision-making and assertiveness during the crisis were not universally admired by Territorians and those in Darwin at that time, I think it is true that he was a leader who took charge and made swift decisions that ultimately benefited everyone and provided the people of Darwin with the direction they needed during that devastating crisis. His great-nephew, who is a mate of mine, reflected this on social media recently; I agree with Max, who is a fine Australian as well.

Next week we'll commemorate another terrible national event in Darwin's history, but one that we're proud of—when we defended the bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942. It was the single largest attack ever mounted on Australia by a foreign power, and it hit our home of Darwin. We will continue to be nationally significant into the future, with our place at the fulcrum of the Indo-Pacific oceans, and that is being more recognised by our allies and partners. The Japanese announced at the end of last year that their Ground Self-Defense Force will rotate for training through Darwin, as the US Marines do. Their Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade will train with our 1st Brigade and others in the north.

I'm proud to represent the people of Darwin and Palmerston, and all Territorians, and I look forward to being in Central Australia again soon with my friend Marion Scrymgour, the member for Lingiari, who is doing a fantastic job representing Territorians as well.

See this speech in context