Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I do rise to speak to this important motion that recognises the significant contribution made by our national servicemen and remembers both their service and, indeed, their sacrifice. Australia has had a number of episodes of national service, having seen four periods of compulsory military service—the last one ending in 1972.

The first period of compulsory service began in 1911 and lasted throughout World War I. The period required boys from the age of 12 through to men in their mid-20s to undergo military training. It was suspended in 1929. The second period began a decade later, in 1939, and lasted until 1945, with unmarried 21-year-old men being called up for three months military training. When not deployed overseas, service was performed in Australia, and included service in New Guinea and nearby islands.

The third period started in 1951 and saw men aged 18 being required to register for national service, with a requirement to remain in the reserves for five years. This scheme trained approximately 33,000 men annually for the six years it was in operation. While universal obligation for service ended in 1957, selected training was introduced until the scheme ceased in 1959. While those in this scheme did not necessarily see active service, except for those who enlisted, our national servicemen did serve in our country in a variety of ways and were prepared to fight for their country.

National servicemen during this period were on naval ships that visited Korean waters during hostilities, were at Montebello Islands in Western Australia for the atomic tests, and at Maralinga in South Australia. So you can see from that activity that they made a significant contribution to our country. Although they were compelled to sign up, our nashos undertook their training and were prepared to put their lives on the line to protect our country. For that they should be acknowledged and remembered.

The last period of a national service scheme began in 1964 in response to Australia's growing involvement in South-East Asia. Under the National Service Act 1964, which included conscription from 1965, all 20-year-old males were required to register with the then Department of Labour and National Service, with their names selected by a birthday ballot. Between 1964 and 1972 over 804,000 men registered, with 63,000 being called up to serve for two years. They were integrated into the regular Army units. These men undertook 12 weeks of training before being assigned to different corps. Most were allocated to infantry, enabling our Army to increase to nine battalions. These nashos served in Borneo, Vietnam and in support units in Australia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.

From 1965 to 1972, 15,381 of these national servicemen served in the Vietnam War, with 1,279 wounded and 200 making the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. One of these men, 20-year-old Ross McMillan from Uralla in New South Wales, died as he set up a claymore mine outside the patrol perimeter on 2 February, 1968. Upon his death his section corporal wrote: 'I will never forget you, and I hope your country and its citizens will always remember your sacrifice.' Despite not having a choice to serve it was widely reported that our national servicemen did their training and their active and reserve duties with distinction and honour. Whether or not these men saw active duty overseas, they put their lives on hold and served side by side in the defence of Australia. They were willing to put their lives on the line, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. The nashos displayed the qualities that are often associated with our first Anzacs: courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship. They should be honoured and remembered. I do, indeed, commend this motion to the House.

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