DARWIN BOMBING ANNIVERSARY

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Can the minister inform the house about the activities to commemorate the 70^th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Workers Rehabilitation, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:57): I would like to thank the honourable member for Taylor for her question and her continuing interest in the sacrifices made by our forebears to defend our country. On Sunday I shall be speaking at a service to commemorate the 70^th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin. I will be joining members of the veterans community at the Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, to mark this important event in Australia's history.

On 19 February 1942 mainland Australia was directly attacked by an external enemy for the first time. In two air raids, Darwin Harbour and surrounding areas were bombed by 242 Japanese attack aircraft and bombers killing at least 243 allied service personnel and civilians and injuring between 300 and 400 more.

Those killed included nine South Australians in the Darwin Post Office. By the time the first raids were over, 10 ships had been sunk and 25 damaged, three hospitals had been bombed, shops, offices and the police barracks were flattened. The post office and the communications centres were shattered, government house was wrecked, and the harbour and airfields were left burning in ruins. It was the start of a sustained bombing campaign by the Japanese across Australia's north, which lasted almost two years and killed many hundreds of Australians and allies. Darwin endured 64 raids, and bombs were also dropped on Townsville, Katherine, Wyndham, Derby, Broome and Port Hedland.

Last year, the Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard, claimed 19 February as Bombing of Darwin Day to ensure the attacks across Australia's north are appropriately remembered and commemorated every year. Seventy years on from the day of that first shocking attack it is important that we remember the enormous courage of those who suffered during that time. I am honoured to be involved in commemorating this crucial event in Australia's history to ensure that the sacrifices made by our fellow Australians, including nine South Australians, are never forgotten.