Thursday, 18 August 2022

Ministers statements: Vietnam Veterans Day

Mr LEANE (Eastern Metropolitan—Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Veterans) (12:16): On this day we reflect on and honour the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Vietnam War. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Australia’s involvement. The Shrine of Remembrance is currently doing a commemoration service, which coincides with the 56th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. On this day in 1966, in a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tan, Australian soldiers fought the fiercest battles of the Vietnam War. Approximately 60 000 Australians served in the Vietnam War. Of these, 3000 were wounded and 521 were killed. I take this opportunity to thank all Vietnam veterans and their families for their sacrifice.

This story is told without fear or favour at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum at Phillip Island, and I would encourage anyone who has a chance to visit it to do so and learn more. I would like to give a special shout-out to the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Victorian branch president, Bob Elworthy, whose association we are proud to support. On Wednesday, alongside the member for Bass and a member of this chamber, Dr Kieu, I was proud to announce that our government will contribute $10 million to the Vietnam veterans museum for a new purpose-built facility. We are also proud to provide $50 000 to digitally record the stories and histories of Vietnam veterans and also $150 000 for new grants for ex-service organisations to support veterans wellbeing through supporting new programs.

We welcome these substantial investments for museums and veterans. We acknowledge that this is a group of Australians and Victorians that were treated very poorly on returning, and for that I am sure the whole chamber joins me in saying that we are sorry.