Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before moving the motion, I wish to inform the chamber that Senator O'Neill will also sponsor the motion. At the request of Senators Brown and O'Neill, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) 3 September is Merchant Navy Day, and

  (ii) the Merchant Navy was comprised of mostly civilian crews and was responsible for ensuring that valuable cargo reached the personnel who needed it most; the merchant navy ships and their crew – merchant mariners – often served in very challenging and dangerous circumstances – many did so without defences as they were often unarmed, and merchant vessels were attacked in distant waters and within sight of the Australian coastline, while crossing common trade routes;

(b) acknowledges the invaluable role the Merchant Navy has played in the more than 100 years since it first served our nation, especially in both world wars; and

(c) pays tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of our merchant mariners, who have served our nation with distinction.

Question agreed to.