To mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings and Normandy campaign, I will attend an official commemoration in France on June 6.
More than 3,000 Australians fought in support of the D-Day landings, 18 were killed.
I will join French President Francois Hollande and other heads of government at the British services at the Bayeux Cathedral and Cemetery and the international ceremony at Sword Beach, Ouistreham.
Seven Australian D-Day veterans will accompany me for the commemorative services – Robert Cowper OAM, Stuart Davis, Phillip Elger, Francis Evans, Ronald Houghton, Billy Purdy and Frederick Riley.
On June 7 I will visit the Western Front to pay tribute to the 295,000 Australians who served there between 1916 and 1918 and honour the 46,000 who lost their lives. I will visit the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and Pozieres.
As part of the 100th anniversary of ANZAC, I would like to see a greater focus on Australia’s role on the western front. The Government is considering constructing an interpretive centre at Villers-Bretonneux.
Following my visit to France, I will travel to Canada and the United States of America to hold formal talks with the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and US President Barack Obama.
The US and Canada are important strategic partners of Australia. I will be accompanied by a business delegation to strengthen trade and business ties between our countries.
I will visit Ottawa, New York, Washington, Houston and Pearl Harbour.
31 May 2014