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

Australia's 20-year commitment to the war in Afghanistan has ended. This period, from 2001 to 2021 was our Defence Force's longest military commitment. But that period of time also included many other warlike and peacekeeping operations. The significant date of September 11 will no doubt evoke a range of emotions for hundreds of thousands of current and former defence members, their families and, indeed, our nation.

To commemorate this occasion and to promote a period of reflection and remembrance, a collective of the best veteran bands and musicians will kick off an Australian first national concert tour, called 'Rock for R'n'R'—reflection and remembrance. Like in the ancient Greek auditoriums, Rock for R'n'R will help to process and validate our Australian Defence Force's experiences, and will welcome them home. It will be a cathartic experience and it's very much needed. Furthermore, Rock for R'n'R seeks to quash the myth that all veterans are busted—and what better way to do this than through music and the arts, led by our veterans themselves?

I commend veterans Harry Moffitt, Rob Pickersgill and the other Rock for R'n'R organisers, as well as the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum. I encourage the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to support this significant program.