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

I am very proud of our military and veteran heritage up in the north of Australia, the place that I represent—Darwin and the rest of the Northern Territory. I want to acknowledge the commemorative service that we had at the USS Peary Memorial on the Darwin, which was attended by over 200 people and where we commemorated the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific and the end of the Second World War. I want to particularly pay tribute to the moving speech by US Marine officer Lieutenant Colonel David Banning, who reminded all present of the historic and deep relationship between the United States Marine Corp and the Australian Defence Force. This is reflected, as he said, and continues to be reflected by the fact that the song of the 1st Marine Corp Division remains Waltzing Matildaand their banner includes the Southern Cross.

I also want to acknowledge Veterans Australia NT, who have taken many steps to support younger veterans over the years. Some local INTERFET veterans and Vietnam veterans felt that more could be done to commemorate the important deployment from Darwin of INTERFET 21 years ago. As a result, on the weekend of 19 and 20 September, next month, we will be commemorating that deployment. On Saturday 19 September, there will be a service at the Darwin Cenotaph, followed by a lunch at NT Parliament House. The following day, on Sunday 20 September, there will be an informal barbeque at Veterans Australia NT, out in the rural area.

Speaking at the commemorative service will be Colonel John Papalitsas, who is currently the commander of the Regional Force Surveillance Group and was a platoon commander with the 3rd Battalion Old Faithful during that INTERFET deployment; and also Sam Weston, who was with the 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment—a veteran from Darwin. All INTERFET veterans are invited to come to Darwin—if you're not from a hotspot. Check with the NT government's Health website to see whether we'll let you in! I want to give a shout-out to all INTERFET veterans and welcome them to Darwin. Also out of Veterans Australia NT recently we've had the dedication of a Long Tan replica cross. It looks fantastic and is a credit to that great organisation. Well done to all the ex-service organisations in the Top End who continue to serve our veterans and their families.