Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to thank the honourable Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Veterans Affairs, for his recent visit to Albany and Denmark in my electorate of O'Connor. It was an honour to show him around Albany's magnificent National Anzac Centre and take him to visit the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial, one of Australia's most significant military monuments. We met with the WA president of the RSL, Vietnam veteran Peter Aspinall, as well as members of the Denmark and Albany sub-branches. Minister Tehan briefed these veterans on expanded mental health provisions announced in the recent budget, which can be accessed immediately for ex-servicemen who have served just one day in the forces.

The highlight of the day was afternoon tea with three of Albany's most recognised World War II veterans. Murray Maxton flew bombers with his brother Eric over Europe, while 100-year-old Harold Martin and fellow veteran Neil MacPherson both survived enslavement on the notorious Thai-Burma railway. Both men were shipped to Japan towards the end of the war, with Harold surviving a torpedo attack and six days adrift at sea. Neil worked in the Japanese coalmines until the liberation and travelled through Nagasaki, witnessing the carnage of the atomic bomb. Neil turned 95 last weekend, and we joined his fellow residents at RAAFA Amity Village in wishing him a very happy birthday. Minister Tehan commended all these true heroes on their selfless service to our country, and I join him in saying that we were both honoured to spend the afternoon in such distinguished company.