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

A strong Darwin means a more secure Australia. Today in Darwin we commemorated 77 years since the Bombing of Darwin. Air raid sirens sounded at the cenotaph in Darwin this morning. We remember those who were affected not only on 19 February 1942, when Darwin was bombed, but across the north during those difficult years in World War II. Among the attendees at the commemorations today was 99-year-old Brian Winspear. He was just 19 when he joined the Air Force and he was part of the squadrons of bombers in Darwin during the war.

Thousands of Territorians were forced to flee south when Darwin was bombed. Upon returning home, they found that their home had been devastated by war. The Darwin of today is a testament to the resilience of those Territorians who rebuilt our city and made it the modern and welcoming place that it is today. I acknowledge all of those who defended, those who fought, those who suffered and those who rebuilt Darwin, our home. A strong Darwin means a more secure Australia. Lest we forget.