Royal Australian Air Force Centenary

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:58): Those present in this building earlier today may have heard a rumble as jets made their way above Parliament House. The planes flew in honour of the 100^th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) celebrated today, 31 March 2021, at the National War Memorial on North Terrace. Attending the ceremony, I was moved to see a large contingent of Defence Force personnel and dignitaries join to mark this momentous achievement.

In the context of human life, 100 years of history is a significant timespan and one that should not go unrecognised. I thank Air Commodore Ross Bender, who provided the stirring address at the celebration in Adelaide. He spoke of the distinction and the sacrifices of Australia's flying forces and recounted some of the courageous members and their achievements.

He also spoke about RAAF's early beginnings, when it had more planes than people. This morning he contrasted its original 153 planes and 149 people to today's Royal Australian Air Force, which he said now has over 14½ personnel and about 100 more planes at 260 aircraft. Air Commodore Bender also spoke of the important role South Australians have played in the history of the Royal Australian Air Force. During our Air Force infantry, 350 South Australians were in the flying corps sent to the Middle East and the Western Front during World War I.

Whilst this is a page in history, it steels me to think of the bravery of those souls. Today, our Air Force and its pilots have a strong tradition, practice and procedures to draw upon, but those flying pioneers headed to fight the war on foreign soil, not knowing if they would return to Australian shores.

South Australia's commitment to the Royal Australian Air Force grew exponentially during World War II, with major bases in Mallala, Port Pirie and Mount Gambier, and smaller units in Gawler, Parafield, Victor and Adelaide. At today's ceremony we heard that more than 23,000 South Australians served in the Air Force in the Second World War, and of the 9,870 Air Force personnel who paid the ultimate sacrifice 147 of them lost their lives within our state, a cruel blow for those far away from the frontline to lose their lives, many during training, but a reminder of the devastating reach of battle.

For me, the Air Force, as part of Australia's defence forces, represents hope, promise and a new land. During the Vietnam War my former homeland was ravaged by civil war as the north's communist forces overran South Vietnam and its government. As part of the allied forces, Australia joined to fight to protect South Vietnam. Today, many Australian Vietnamese still share the loss and suffering of that time with Australia's defence forces.

In closing, while we acknowledge the significant history of the Royal Australian Air Force, it is important to remember those members today posted in lands far away and of course their families here at home. I understand some RAAF members are presently deployed in the Middle East and South Sudan, while others protect our nation's borders.

I hope honourable members here join with me to recognise and thank all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to this country within the Royal Australian Air Force. Lastly, in closing, I acknowledge and congratulate the Royal Australian Air Force on its centenary.