Mr BARRETT - 2015-02-26
Are you aware of the Bring Them Home campaign to repatriate the bodies of Australians who died in the early stages of the Vietnam War? What is the government doing to assist with this campaign?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. You took guidance from A Current Affair last night and there is a very important article in the NT News today. I thank Bob Shewring for his hard work in supporting veterans in the Territory.
Australians, unfortunately, have paid the price of supreme sacrifice in wars on foreign soils since the beginning of federation in 1901. The span of interventions includes such conflicts as the Boer War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and more recently our sons and daughters are in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Up until January 1966, the policy and practice of the Australian government was for these fallen soldiers to be buried in war cemeteries in the country in which the conflict was undertaken, or an adjacent foreign land. These graves are sacred to this nation; they are solemn and respectful places containing thousands of our fallen heroes. Many are even memorial sites, especially those from World War I. It was simply not possible to individually identify and bury all of our fallen soldiers.
As I said, in January 1966 the policy of the Australian government changed so our fallen soldiers were repatriated back home. This policy change occurred close to the beginning of the Vietnam conflict, so the majority of our fallen soldiers then were returned home. A total of 521 Australians were killed in Vietnam; 25 of them are buried overseas and 24 at the Terendak Camp in Malaysia.
I have discussed this with Bob Shewring, one of the veterans leading the campaign to bring these Australians home. I also understand there may be one solider with Territory connections among that 25.
The NT government welcomes confirmation from the Commonwealth government, which we have spoken with today, and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Hon Michael Ronaldson, is investigating this matter. I understand minister Ronaldson is sympathetic to this matter, and he and Commonwealth officials are investigating the sensitivities around it.
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, and events associated with the Vietnam War, this is an issue of importance to the Vietnam veteran community.
I have asked Peter Chandler, as Minister for Veterans Support, to take the lead on behalf of the Northern Territory government to help bring those 25 Australians home. The Commonwealth government is supportive of the Northern Territory and I encourage the new minister to do his best to have those 25 Australians repatriated back into Australia.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. You took guidance from A Current Affair last night and there is a very important article in the NT News today. I thank Bob Shewring for his hard work in supporting veterans in the Territory.
Australians, unfortunately, have paid the price of supreme sacrifice in wars on foreign soils since the beginning of federation in 1901. The span of interventions includes such conflicts as the Boer War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and more recently our sons and daughters are in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Up until January 1966, the policy and practice of the Australian government was for these fallen soldiers to be buried in war cemeteries in the country in which the conflict was undertaken, or an adjacent foreign land. These graves are sacred to this nation; they are solemn and respectful places containing thousands of our fallen heroes. Many are even memorial sites, especially those from World War I. It was simply not possible to individually identify and bury all of our fallen soldiers.
As I said, in January 1966 the policy of the Australian government changed so our fallen soldiers were repatriated back home. This policy change occurred close to the beginning of the Vietnam conflict, so the majority of our fallen soldiers then were returned home. A total of 521 Australians were killed in Vietnam; 25 of them are buried overseas and 24 at the Terendak Camp in Malaysia.
I have discussed this with Bob Shewring, one of the veterans leading the campaign to bring these Australians home. I also understand there may be one solider with Territory connections among that 25.
The NT government welcomes confirmation from the Commonwealth government, which we have spoken with today, and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Hon Michael Ronaldson, is investigating this matter. I understand minister Ronaldson is sympathetic to this matter, and he and Commonwealth officials are investigating the sensitivities around it.
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, and events associated with the Vietnam War, this is an issue of importance to the Vietnam veteran community.
I have asked Peter Chandler, as Minister for Veterans Support, to take the lead on behalf of the Northern Territory government to help bring those 25 Australians home. The Commonwealth government is supportive of the Northern Territory and I encourage the new minister to do his best to have those 25 Australians repatriated back into Australia.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016