Thursday, 16 September 2021
Members statements
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
On 18 August it was Vietnam Veterans Day, which reminds us of the service, humanity and bravery of our young soldiers. I think especially of a school friend, Peter Murray, who at age 20 was conscripted in October 1967, went to Vietnam with the 1st Battalion of the RAR the following January and tragically died of wounds in Long Binh on 9 July 1968.
Now we sadly witness the tragedy of the 20-year war in Afghanistan. As a young man in previously more peaceful times, I travelled from Pakistan through the Khyber Pass into Kabul. The image of the poverty and cheerfulness of the locals has never left me.
The work and goodwill of our male and female soldiers in supporting villagers in Afghanistan and Vietnam should not be dismissed. Nor should we ignore the personal support we received from many locals throughout these long periods of time.
Now is the time for us to step up and support our Afghan brothers and sisters. I strongly encourage the federal government to follow the examples of Canada and the UK and provide 14 000 extra humanitarian visas.