Stuart Robert (Fadden, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Technology and Personnel) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to honour the service and sacrifices of those Indigenous Australians who served us in past conflicts. In 1985 I was in year 10 at Rockhampton Grammar School and the school sergeant was a man named Jim Gredrick, Warrant Officer Class 1. Jim was an Aboriginal and a proud man. It turned out Jim also fought in World War II, fought in Malaya, fought in the confrontation, was part of the Australian Army training team in Vietnam and of course served with the 3rd Battalion in Korea. He was one of the most highly decorated men I have met and I have known, this great Aboriginal Australian.

Indigenous servicemen and women have made an enormous contribution to our Defence Force, having first been involved in the Boer War as early as 1899. In fact, several Indigenous Australians participated in the Boer War, serving as trackers with mounted infantry units. In the first half of the 20th century non-Europeans were officially barred from serving in our Defence Force, yet in World War I over 500 Aboriginals and a number of Torres Strait Islanders still managed to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force. Indeed, one of my postings in 1994 was on Thursday Island with Charlie Company 51st Battalion Far North Queensland regiment helping to train the largest Indigenous Army unit, 130 Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal soldiers. It was one of the great delights of my life working up there and training those soldiers and leading them on operations. They were first class, they were second to none.

Some might find it strange that prior to 1967, when Aboriginals were officially recorded in the census, many of them served, but they did, and they served well with a great tradition of loyalty and patriotism that all Australians can be proud of. Indigenous Australians have been present in every major fight we have had since the campaigns of World War I. Colour knows no difference in the heat of battle. Having served on operations myself, it does not make any difference what colour the bloke next to you or the lady is; what matters is their capacity to fight, their loyalty, their toughness, their fitness, their capacity to look out for one another. I have served with Tongans, with Fijians, with Kiwis, with Maoris and with Aboriginal soldiers and I am proud to say I have served with some of the finest soldiers I have seen on Earth. White and black Australian soldiers have formed great partnerships as Australians for over 100 years. Many have been decorated for outstanding bravery. Corporal Albert Knight of the 43rd Battalion and Private William Irwin 33rd Battalion were each awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Others received the Military Medal. Private William Rawlings, 29th Battalion, was awarded his medal for rare bravery in the performance of his duty in July 1917. He was killed the following year.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians made an even more significant contribution to Australia's defence in World War II, including my good colleague, our school sergeant Jim Gredrick. Many travelled enormous distances to enlist. Torres Strait Islanders Charles Mene and Victor Blanco joined the militia in September 1939 and transferred to the Second AIF for service overseas, Mene 2/33 Battalion and Blanco 2/31 Battalion and served right through the war including on the Kokoda Trail.

Reg Saunders, perhaps the best-known Indigenous servicemen, joined up in 1940 and served in the 2/7 Battalion in Libya, Greece and Crete, spending a year on the run after the Germans captured the island. He would later serve in New Guinea when the 7th and 9th Divisions returned home. His story is well known. He proved himself an exceptional junior leader. He was sent to an officer training course and commissioned in November 1944. He was Australia's first Indigenous military officer.

He enlisted again in 1950 to serve in the Korean War. Captain Saunders, as he was then, led a company of the 3rd Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment in the Battle of Kapyong. He fought beside my good friend Jim Geedrick. With the advance of the Japanese in the Pacific, Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders found themselves literally in the front line against those who would seek harm upon our nation. It is no surprise as great Australians they served with honour, dignity and great valour. They were extremely important to our success in the Pacific.

The Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion was formed in 1943 to provide additional protection to the powerful invasion opening to the north during World War II. It had some 700 members with the majority being Indigenous Torres Strait Islanders. Indeed, Charlie Company 51st Battalion, the Far North Queensland Regiment that I served with as an officer, draws its strength, calibre, capacity and character from that great light infantry battalion.

These men made use of their tradition as warriors to make a unique and vital contribution to the war effort. Their knowledge of local reefs and waters proved invaluable to the 2nd Australian Water Transport Unit, as their knowledge proves invaluable to us today. Indigenous Australians continue to make a substantial contribution to the Defence Force. They continue to serve our nation with great distinction. Programs exist now to make greater use of young Indigenous Australians.

We encourage and welcome all who seek a great career in our Defence Force. They have served with great distinction in the past. They have been and are great Australians. It is with great pride that I honour their service and their sacrifice here this evening.

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