Andrew Hastie (Canning, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 18 August I had the privilege of attending the Vietnam War commemorative service held at the Mandurah War Memorial in my electorate of Canning. Of course, 18 August marks the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, in which elements of the 1st Australian Task Force defeated more than 2,500 North Vietnamese and Vietcong in a close-quarters fight in the middle of a rubber plantation. It was a significant victory over an enemy who had intended to inflict an early blow upon the Australian forces in Phuoc Tuoy province. It was significant because it was the moment that the Australians asserted their dominance over that province for the rest of the war. Eighteen Australians made the ultimate sacrifice at Long Tan—18 young Australians who gave their life in the service of this country. Present at the service in Canning last month were members of the Mandurah Murray Vietnam Veterans Group. This upstanding group of citizens have led the charge in raising the Peel region's level of recognition and commemoration for the service made by Vietnam veterans. Like them, I believe that we must be vigilant in the honouring of our veterans. The manner in which we remember and care for those who have served this country shapes the future that we leave our children, and so I intend to continue to honour them into the future.