Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on indulgence, the House should acknowledge that today is Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day. A little bit earlier today I and the Leader of the Opposition, as well as Her Excellency the Governor-General, attended at a remembrance ceremony here in Canberra. In Brisbane, at Enoggera, the Governor-General today presents Delta Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, with a unit citation.

It has been a long, long road to this day of recognition for these Australians who committed such extraordinary acts of gallantry during the Battle of Long Tan. On this day in 1966, the men of 6RAR were outside the wire, but they were not alone—they had their training, and they had their mates. Their actions in the now famous rubber plantation showed them to be more than worthy of their Anzac grandfathers, and it is worth remembering, in the Anzac spirit, that New Zealand's artillery was vital to their success. Long Tan was not the only important Australian action of the Vietnam War, but its anniversary has rightly become the day on which we remember all Australians who served in Vietnam.

Lest we forget.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I support the remarks of the Prime Minister in marking the 45th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. We should, as the Prime Minister says, remember the extraordinary efforts of Delta Company of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. We should remember the sacrifices of that company then and the suffering of some of the ex-members of that company since. We should also remember on this day the importance of standing by our allies and the need for effective armed forces in an uncertain world. Above all else, we should remember that there is no finer calling than to serve one's country in the armed forces of Australia.