Brendan Nelson (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on indulgence, I strongly support the remarks of the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and commend the government for its recognition of Battle for Australia Day. 1942 was arguably the most important year in this country’s history since the arrival of the First Fleet. As the minister reminds us, bombs fell on Australia, there was a gripping struggle at Kokoda, the Japanese were repelled at Milne Bay, there were the battles of the Coral Sea and Guadalcanal and, along with brave Australians, the Americans, the Dutch and the British fought to secure the freedoms that we celebrate here in the parliament—freedoms that, I think, too often my generation has taken for granted. I commend the government for what it has done in this regard and assure it that it enjoys the full support of the opposition in recognising this heroic battle for our country through this very day.

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