CHECK AGAINSTZfDEIiVERY EM13ARGOED UNTIL. nELIVERY
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER
OPENING OF GYMNASIUM AT HMAS COONAWARRA
DARWIN 25 APRIL 1991
On Anzac Day 1991, it * is proper for the thoughts of all
Australians to turn to the men and women who are serving in
the armed forces of our country to those who served our
country with such valour and distinction in the past and,
most of all, to those who paid the supreme sacrifice in
defence of liberty and peace.
It is now seventy six years since the ANZAC tradition was
forged at Gallipoli, and half a century since Australia's
sons and daughters rallied to the call to arms against
tyranny and oppression in the Second World War. This
December will see the 50th Anniversary of the attack on
Pearl Harbour, which plunged our whole region into
catastrophic war.
In that challenge, Australians endured much and they
sacrificed much. But thanks to the resourcefulness, energy
and sheer courage of Australians, and of our allies, the
cause of liberty prevailed. As a result, the years since
that terrible era of warfare have seen dramatic and
fundamental change within this region and throughout the
world. In an atmosphere of peace and security, former adversaries
have achieved international reconciliation and mutual
understanding. This region, once characterised by
instability and conflict, has led the world in economic
growth and dynamism, to the benefit of all its peoples.
Today, we have within our grasp the attainment of goals for
which previous generations have fought and for which they
have made many sacrifices. In particular, we can see the
way towards the attainment of the original goals of the
United Nations Organisation goals which had been denied
and delayed throughout the anguished years of the cold war
but which today as the world community demonstrated in
Kuwait are closer to fulfillment than they have ever been.
But hand in hand with these opportunities goes the need for
vigilance. The qualities of professionalism, dedication and
courage which the Australian Armed Forces have displayed and
nurtured since their inception remain of relevance now. And
here at HMAS Coonawarra, let me say that the Royal
Australian Navy remains a vital part of our nation's self
reliant defence capabilities.
Nowhere was this more ably demonstrated than in the recent
Gulf conflict.-With little warning, the men and women of
the Navy embarked upon an arduous and hazardous tour of
duty, and discharged with distinction the tasks with which
they were entrusted. In doing so, they earned the respect
of their colleagues in the coalition forces in the Gulf.
And even more importantly, they earned the respect of the
people of Australia for proving, once more, Australia's
reputation as a nation which is willing and able to take a
stand against aggression, and to meet its obligations as a
responsible member of the international community.
Many of the men and women who formed the Australian naval
task force have already returned home. Only last week I
welcomed home HMAS Brisbane and HMAS Sydney from their tour
of duty in the Gulf. But let us not forget those
Australians who remain, their tasks not yet complete the
clearance diving team, which has been engaged in the mammoth
and delicate task of clearing Kuwaiti ports, and the crew of
HMAS Westralia, who provided such able and timely support to
the coalition naval forces.
On this day, when we acknowledge the sacrifice of so many
Australians, it is important also to turn our thoughts to
those many other Australian service personnel contributing
to important peacekeeping tasks in the trouble spots of the
world. On Anzac Day 1991 we wish them all well and a safe return
when their work is done.
Ladies and gentlemen
It is fitting on this day, also, to acknowledge the
important contribution made to the defence of the north by a
small group of Australians whose efforts and dedication have
to date gone largely unrecognised and unrewarded. It should
never be forgotten that in the dark days of World War II,
Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders were among the many
Australians who stepped forward to play their part in
Australia's defence.
I am pleased to announce that the Government has approved
payments to about 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
who served full-time alongside the Defence Force in the
Second World War, when Australia itself was threatened with
invasion.
3.
These people, who were not formally enlisted or paid at the
time, carried out such tasks as patrolling, reconnaissance,
coastwatching and training for guerilla warfare. The nature
of their training and their tasks clearly shows that they
were expected, and willing, to fight against the enemy if
the need had. arisen.
These Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders include those
who served with the Northern Territory Special
Reconnaissance-Unit, based in Arnhem Land, and the Snake Bay
Patrol, based on Bathurst and Melville Islands, certain
crewmen on Royal Australian Navy ships " Heather" and
" Viking", and a number of Aborigines at Groote Eylandt who
participated in the defence of the airfield.
The untaxed payments will be based on the military salary
and allowance rates for a private soldier during the Second
World War, adjusted to reflect the change in the value of
money since 1945.
Those eligible for payments, and their dependants, may also
be eligible for repatriation benefits under the normal
criteria. After almost half a century, the Government derives great
pleasure fromn being able to recognise, with just and
deserved recompense, the significant contribution made by
these members of our community.
Ladies and gentlemen
Just as the world has changed, so our thinking about the
defence of Australia has grown and matured. Nowhere is this
more evident than here in the north of Australia.
The Government's 1987 White Paper on Defence specifically
recognised the crucial role of the northern sea-air gap in
the defence of Australia. This thinking, together with the
concept of defence in depth and the need to protect our of fshore
economi c assets, is fundamental to our defence posture
and has shaped the development of our northern defence
infrastructure. The Air Force's chain of northern air bases, the Army's
emerging facilities in Darwin for 1 Cavalry Regiment and,
not least, the Navy's Patrol Boat base and communications
facilities hEre, are testimony to the Government's resolve
to maintain and expand the fundamental infrastructure
necessary to provide properly for our defence needs into the
twenty first century.
It is easy to consider our national defence priorities in
terms of big ticket items, new bases, new submarines or
warships. But we should never forget that the equipment is
only as good as the person operating it. When we strip away
the rhetoric, and the glamour of high technology, we come
face to face with the highly trained, well motivated and
dedicated men and women of the services especially in the
Royal Australian Navy. These are the people who showed in
the Gulf, and who show time and again in the waters off our
northern shores, that they are more than equal to the
demands which we as a nation make of them.
These service men and women have well earned the respect
with which they are held in the community: they personify
our defence, as the many men and women who preceded them
did, and as those who follow them will do.
Their well-being cannot therefore be divorced from the
overall capabilities of our Defence Force. For this reason,
I am especially pleased to be able to be here today in this
new physical fitness centre, constructed by Hansen Yuncken
Constructions at a cost of over $ 2.25 million dollars.
It would be remiss not to acknowledge at this point the
sterling work of Hansen Yuncken and all its employees, and
of the designers Australian Construction Services, in
bringing this valuable project to a successful conclusion.
This facility, along with the many other improvements being
undertaken here at HMAS Coonawarra, demonstrates in the most
tangible way the Government's determination to accord proper
priority to meeting the needs of our service personnel.
I have much pleasure in declaring this physical fitness
centre open.