Prime Minister
PRIME MINISTER: To my Ministerial and Parliamentary colleagues, who are with us here today. The Leader of the Opposition, the Chief of Defence Force, and the Director of the Australian War Memorial, and Members of the War Memorial Board.
We gather here to honour the past and to prepare ourselves for the future. And here, in this our most sacred place, we hear our country. We hear the Ngunnawal People on whose land we gather, and we honour their Elders past, present and emerging.
We indeed see the uniforms and medals of those amongst us, and behind them are lives that have given themselves to sacrifice and service. And we sense amongst us the 102,000 Australians whose names are on these walls and who gave their tomorrows for our today. And we say thank you for your service.
Today, as part of this Memorial’s daily reminder of stoicism, sacrifice and service at the start of our Parliamentary year, we gather not because it’s demanded of us, but because we demand it of ourselves. In this sacred place, we stand side by side with each other, to lift our vision to our common purpose: to safeguard, protect, and defend, and advance Australia.
Here, we draw from the well of time’s past, so that we can better understand our country, our times and ourselves. In this place of memory, we are reminded that nations are defended by those who display physical as well as moral courage.
We reflect on this courage during our generation’s own time of testing. Facing the greatest health and economic challenges of our lifetimes, in the midst of unprecedented geopolitical change. But such times are not without precedent in this country.
This month earlier, eighty years ago, Singapore fell, Darwin was bombed, and both Houses of Parliament met together behind closed doors to prepare for the unimaginable. An enemy that appeared to be unstoppable. And during that time, our Prime Minister John Curtin spoke a truth that must be a lesson for all time. He said, “Facts are stern things. We, the allied nations, were unready.”
Though the Australians of those times - military, civilian and political - held, helped turn the tide of war, and we, will be remembered throughout all history, the lessons of those times is readiness. Our honouring of the past must beckon us to prepare for the future and the challenges that we face today.
Today, the task of forging and holding a peace, and protecting our spirit and vibrant democracy, it remains. And so do the threats. As does the call for duty, service, and courage, and preparedness.
Our democracy is strengthened by the veterans who serve in our Parliament - so many, here with us today. Men and women who understand the consequence of our decisions better than all those who sit in the Parliament, and who, by their presence, challenge us to live lives of moral courage.
Today, we call to mind the 400 men and women who have served in our Armed Forces and have also served in our Parliament. We remember the service of Major General Harold Edward “Pompey” Elliott. A Boer War veteran. Commander of the 7th Battalion at Gallipoli and the 15th Brigade on the Western Front. And a Senator for Victoria.
A former Prime Minister Stanley Bruce who fought, and was wounded, at Gallipoli. And who in later life worked so closely with those he fought against.
Sir Charles Davidson, the Country Member for Dawson, who served on the Western Front in the First World War and commanded the 42nd Battalion in New Guinea in the Second World War.
David Thomson, the Nationals Member for Leichhardt, who served in Borneo, New Guinea and Japan during and following the end of the Second World War, and was awarded the Military Cross for his service in the Korean War. And also served in the Malayan Emergency.
And Graham Edwards, the Labor Member for Cowan, who lost both legs in Vietnam and who is still a fierce advocate, and trusted advocate, for veterans.
Many of these have been mentors. And one I remember is the wisdom and the strength and the humanity of Sir John Carrick, who I knew well, and I know the Leader of the Opposition can speak in the same spirit of the goodness of Tom Uren.
John Carrick and Tom Uren, as we’ve often remarked upon here at this particular service, faced the worst of humanity at Changi, Hellfire Pass and working the Thai Burma Railway. Yet both rejected hatred and embraced forgiveness in all its forms.
I also honour the serving Members and Senators who have worn the uniform of our country in modern conflicts and operations. Thank you, thank you for what you bring to our Parliament and our deliberations, and for your devotion to the cause of Australia.
Soon, the bugle will sound, as it does each and every day here. And today, the bugle plays for Private Percy Gratwick. He left school at 16 and served as a messenger in the Western Australian Parliament, and was later a station hand and a stockman.
Shortly, we will hear his story - of a soldier that stepped up in the moment of trial, and who made a difference during the battle at hand and those around him. A VC.
May we be inspired by his memory and by the memory of all who have sacrificed and served our country.
Lest we forget.