Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) 18 August is Vietnam Veterans' Day,

  (ii) the day marks 51 years since the Battle of Long Tan, where – led by the Tasmanian-born Commanding Officer of the D Company 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith SG MC – 108 Australians fought, 24 were wounded and 18 were killed,

  (iii) the day serves as an opportunity to commemorate more broadly the service of those 61 000 Australians who served in Vietnam, particularly the 521 who lost their lives and the 3 000 who were wounded, and their wives and families who have been left to care for them, and

  (iv) Australia's contribution to the Vietnam War was significant and costly, and these costs are still being experienced today; and

(b) calls on the federal government to work with all states and territories to:

  (i) reflect on the repeated failings of repeated governments to recognise and respect those who came home, and those who did not, and

  (ii) heed, in word and deed, the motto of the Vietnam Veterans Association, to "Honour the dead but fight like hell for the living".

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government acknowledges all current and former members of our defence forces and their families for the service and sacrifice they make on behalf of Australia. This Vietnam Veterans Day, we call on all Australians to reflect on the service of all our veterans who served in this conflict: the 60,000 ground troops and Air Force and Navy personnel, the 521 who died as a result of the war, and the more than 3,000 who were wounded. As Minister Tehan said in the first ministerial statement on veterans and their families:

As a parliament it is our duty to watch over the care we provide our veterans, to ensure these men and women are provided for and that future generations understand their sacrifice.

Question agreed to.