Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This morning I want to shed light on a frequently overlooked aspect of Australia's rich and diverse history. These are the war heroes known as the forgotten Chinese Labour Corps, who shared in our nation's foundational story. They embodied courage and mateship and sacrificed so much during the most challenging of times. From Gallipoli shores to the Pacific battlefields, they demonstrated unwavering bravery and absolutely shared in our very proud Anzac spirit. The Chinese Labour Corps endured difficult and dangerous conditions during World War I. More than 140,000 Chinese labourers were estimated to have worked alongside Australians, Brits and French and Russian troops, digging our trenches, unloading our ships and burying our dead.

The Forgotten is a book by historian Dr Will Davies that honours their service and brings their important story to the public eye, contextualising the story within the broader history of China's interactions with western European nations since the 1700s. The story of how 140,000 Chinese labourers came to be involved in the Western Front is one that really puts the global involvement of World War I into perspective. It was the sons, grandsons and great-grandsons of these settlers who volunteered to fight for Australia in the First World War. The Forgotten celebrates the shared history between China and Australia and their combined efforts to promote peace.

Recently I met with Mr Albert Wong, who advocates for the Chinese Labour Corps and Anzacs, and he shared his vision of building a statue in honour of these forgotten heroes. While there is at present a monument in Sydney's Chinatown commemorating Australians of Chinese heritage who served in the war, their sacrifice should be acknowledged on a national level at the Australian War Memorial, something that both Mr Wong and author Dr Will Davies are advocating. Renowned sculptor Linda Klarfeld has designed a statue depicting an embrace between a Chinese Anzac soldier and a member of the Chinese Labour Corps who supported the war effort. Such a monument at the Australian War Memorial would stand as a testament to the inclusive spirit of the Anzac tradition, reminding future generations of the importance of unity and mateship in the face of adversity, and it would highlight the great sacrifices made by many ethnic groups and backgrounds during the Great War.