BATTLE OF LONG TAN

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (12:52): I move:

That this house acknowledges the 45^th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and recognises the extraordinary efforts of D Company 6 RAR and supporting arms and services and all who served in Australia's deployment to Vietnam.

Because of the importance of this subject, I wanted to reintroduce this and give members the opportunity to put their remarks on record and of course to have the motion eventually pass.

The Vietnam War was unique. Until recently, it was our longest war. It remains, and I suspect will always remain, our most controversial war. It is the controversial nature of the war and the bitterness shown to our returning soldiers who did nothing more than the bidding of their government that shine a special light on those who served there.

I will not repeat all the remarks that I made in my speech on 10 November last year, but I do draw members' attention in reintroducing the motion and remind the house that the Battle of Long Tan in 1966, together with the more sustained battle of the fire support bases, Coral and Balmoral in 1968, were truly the defining military engagements of the Vietnam War. Of the two battles, I think Long Tan was particularly noteworthy because it occurred so soon after Australian troops had joined the war effort.

On 18 August, which was Long Tan Day last year, I was privileged to lead a group of Vietnam veterans to a service of commemoration. We were joined by other Vietnam veterans, their families and diplomatic staff. A poignant ceremony was held amongst the rubber trees in that area and I have it on good authority that it still looks very similar to the Long Tan of 1966. The group I led comprised six veterans and one war widow who were nominated by the senior ex-service organisations in South Australia that have significant Vietnam veteran membership.

This delegation's story is about a small number of veterans from one recent conflict. Other veterans we met during our time in Vietnam assisted our delegation and showed the same qualities. We thank them for their help. I am confident that these veterans represented comprehensively all those who have served our nation. They did their duty and they did us proud. I acknowledge their service. I particularly remember all others who have died serving our nation and those who returned, some wounded physically or mentally, all with lives changed forever. What better reason to work for and to want world peace. We will remember them, lest we forget.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mr Griffiths.