CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (16:47): Relations between Australia and Japan have been in the news in recent days, but I want to assure the House and the parliament that relations between Tokyo and Cowra, that city of friendship and peace—it's a town, actually, but one day it will be a city; it's a fine place with fine people—are very strong. Cowra and Tokyo are separated by 7,787 kilometres, but the bridge of friendship has never been stronger.

This was on full show on 5 August last week, the 82nd anniversary of the Cowra prisoner-of-war breakout. This was the largest land battle in Australia ever. Certainly, in World War II it was the largest prisoner-of-war breakout.

And that goes for anywhere in the world in history. What happened that night was that hundreds upon hundreds of Japanese in the internment camp broke out. But what followed was quite extraordinary.

And you would not have expected this after World War II, where there were—let's face it—atrocities committed by the Japanese against Australia, particularly at Sandakan, Changi, Hellfire Pass and other places: the bonds of friendship and peace were extended. The olive branch was, very much, firmly put, and those graves at Cowra were so well looked after by the ex-servicemen.

It's quite extraordinary. Each and every August, Cowra commemorate—I would even go as far as to say 'celebrate'—their strong association with Japan, as well they might. They've had a student exchange program going since the late sixties.

The peace bell there is an absolute honour to gong. And I have to say, I do applaud not only the Cowra Council, led so well by Mayor Paul Smith and his deputy, Nikki Kiss, but also members of the Cowra Breakout Association, headed by President Lyndell Rolls. I also applaud the Japanese dignitaries who so often attend, and this time it was the Vice Consul for Japan, Ms Miku Takahashi.

She and others very much took part in this wonderful ceremony. There are many wreath laying events. It's conducted with such dignity and respect, and all Australia could learn a lot from how Cowra goes about this, particularly now, as we have a national discussion about multiculturalism.

I think the bonds of friendship that Cowra showed could teach Australians a great deal about what it means to be peace loving.