Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

I have to commend the government and the people of the Solomon Islands for their commitment not just to these events but to the commemoration of those who have died. We now have a memorial to the HMAS Canberra in Honiara. We also have a monument to the brave Australian Coastwatchers and the scouts that worked so hard behind enemy lines. They provided very vital information to the Allies. It was wonderful to be there when we provided medallions in recognition of this. There was a 110-year-old scout from the Solomon Islands there to proudly receive his medal from the Australian government. I also visited a place call Bloody Ridge, which, for the marines, is hallowed ground—a significant battlefield in World War II and where the Solomon Islands government is now dedicating a national park.