Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Reynolds for the question and thank her for her service to this nation as well. In August 1915 the Anzac forces began what was called the August Offensive, the last great push to remove the Turkish forces from Gallipoli. It was probably the most fierce of our campaigns in Gallipoli. The casualties were enormous, and seven Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross during that particular campaign. To honour the service of those men, on 6 August this year there will be another major commemorative event at Lone Pine. It is the first of its type, and the department is gearing up for that as it did for the Anzac Day services. I want to place on record my deep and abiding thanks to the department staff for the fantastic job they did.

This service will start at five o'clock on 6 August. Today I want to announce a free and non-compulsory registration scheme to enable those Australians wishing to attend the ceremony to register to receive information about the commemoration. This commemorative event will not be ticketed or balloted as the Anzac Day service was. There will be about 5,000 places for those who wish to attend the service. I strongly encourage people who might be interested in going to register their interest in attending to enable the government to provide them with the information necessary to ensure the appropriate conduct of the ceremony. We encourage those who are attending to be there by midafternoon to enable security and other screening to take place. (Time expired)