David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC. Can the minister update the house on the Centenary of Anzac commemorative events and activities the government is supporting in order to recognise the great sacrifice of Australia's service men and women?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today is the last sitting day of the parliament before Anzac Day 2018. April itself will mark the start of a significant program of military commemorations in Australia and overseas, with 2018 culminating in the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Armistice Day, 11 November 2018, will mark the end of the most important commemorative period in Australia's military history, the Anzac Centenary, spanning 2014 to 2018. I'm sure all senators join me in encouraging all Australians to attend domestic and overseas services throughout 2018 to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the men and women who fought and died for our country.

We all know what a moving experience it is to attend a commemorative service in Australia and what a memorable experience it is to attend one overseas, often in places where Australians actually fought and fell. At home, commemorations will be held for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, the 50th anniversary of the battles of Coral and Balmoral, the 65th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, the 75th anniversary of Australian forced labour at Hellfire Pass and the completion of the Thai-Burma railway, and of course the centenary of the First World War armistice. Overseas, Australians will commemorate the centenary of the battles of Villers-Bretonneux and Fromelles and the centenary of the First World War armistice. This year, the Australian government's role in support will be at Anzac Day services in France, Turkey, Belgium, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Fawcett, a supplementary question.

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister further update the Senate on the Centenary of Anzac commemorative events and activities the government is supporting for the upcoming Anzac Day of 2018?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Anzac Day is one of Australia's most important national occasions. It provides a very important formal opportunity to honour the more than 102,000 men and women who have given their lives for our nation. The Australian government's significant commemorative program reflects our commitment to acknowledging and commemorating the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served Australia and our allies in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Anzac Day is commemorated by Australians and New Zealanders across the globe. In fact, last year I was at the Temple of Hercules in Amman, Jordan, for a striking dawn service. The Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs organises or supports services in Turkey, France, Thailand, Malaysia and PNG. I'm also very pleased to note that next month we will open the Sir John Monash Centre in Villers-Bretonneux, the most significant infrastructure project of the Australian government's Anzac Centenary program.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Fawcett, a final supplementary question.

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister inform the Senate how this new Sir John Monash Centre at Villers-Bretonneux will mark the great Australian wartime leader's legacy in a meaningful way for generations to come?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We are very excited about the Sir John Monash Centre. It is, as I said, the most significant infrastructure project of the Australian government's Anzac Centenary program and provides a lasting international legacy for future generations. The official opening of the Sir John Monash Centre will take place on Tuesday, 24 April, next month, in Villers-Bretonneux in France. The state-of-the-art centre is designed to give visitors a unique understanding of Australia's experience of the Western Front battlefields of the First World War, and it's of course named after our most senior commanding general on the Western Front. I think it's important to note that, on this Anzac Day, in the centenary year of the end of World War I, as a chamber, we will remember them.