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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-06-16 Daily Xml
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Thailand Burma Railway

Mr BROWN (Florey) (14:31): My question is to the Minister for Veterans Affairs. How is recognition being provided for veterans who, as prisoners of war, were forced to labour on the Burma to Thailand railway?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Regional Roads, Minister for Veterans Affairs) (14:32): I thank the member for his question. South Australia can be justly proud of the ANZAC Centenary Memorial Walk. As we all know in this house, its construction was our state's flagship project during the centenary of ANZAC commemorations. The walk was dedicated on 23 April 2016. Many of us in this room will remember fondly the late Bill Corey OAM, a World War II veteran and Rat of Tobruk, who cut the ribbon, flanked by then Premier Weatherill and our state's Governor, His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le AC. I am aware that the member for Dunstan and the member for Chaffey were also in attendance in keeping with the bipartisan nature of the veterans portfolio.

Following the dedication, members of the veteran community have been attempting to have pavers added to the walk that would recognise prisoners of war of the Japanese held as slave labourers in Thailand. During the recent state election, the Labor Party made an election commitment to install Thailand pavers on the walk. After being sworn in as the Minister for Veterans Affairs, I was approached by veterans seeking to have Thailand pavers installed on the walk. After meeting with veterans and giving careful consideration to the matter, I announced on 22 April that Veterans SA had begun discussions with Adelaide City Council to deliver on the commitment. Veterans SA have liaised with Adelaide City Council, and Tillett Memorials have been engaged to produce the pavers and install them.

I know all members of this house respect the service and the sacrifice of all generations of Australian service men and women who have defended our values and our way of life in wars, conflicts and peace operations throughout more than a century of service. During World War II, more than 22,000 Australians were taken prisoner by the Japanese at various locations throughout South-East Asia. Many were to serve as slave labourers on the infamous Thailand-Burma railway, where some 2,646 perished as a result of starvation, forced labour, maltreatment, disease and malnutrition.

The laying of this paver is particularly appreciated by Mr Keith 'Chook' Fowler. Keith is the last surviving member of 2nd/3rd Machine Gun Battalion captured on Java and is believed to be the last former prisoner of the Japanese to survive in South Australia. Keith, or Chook, is closer to 102 than 101, and I was very privileged to meet him on 26 May to show him the design of the pavers that will be installed on the walk. Before the lunch I had with Chook I had wondered what sort of a person he would be, how we would have a conversation, about his mobility and things like that, but his attitude, his awareness and his mobility were absolutely fantastic. It is a testament to his dedication and a tribute to his lifestyle.

I know Chook applauds this overdue recognition of all his 2nd/3rd comrades and, more broadly, all those Australians who lie in graves in Thailand. We intend to unveil them on 15 August, Victory in the Pacific Day, and, health notwithstanding, front and centre of that occasion will be Mr Keith 'Chook' Fowler, a truly great Australian and proud representative of all those who suffered as prisoners of war in Thailand. Lest we forget.

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