STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr MONCRIEFF (Hughes) (13:47): Today is Vietnam Veterans' Day. Today, 60 years ago, 105 soldiers from Delta Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment fought a ferocious battle against 2,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops. For 3½ hours in a rubber plantation outside the village of Long Tan, these soldiers faced overwhelming odds in a fierce contest mired in mud, rain and shrapnel.

In the battle, 17 Australians were killed in action and 25 were wounded. One of the wounded would later succumb to his afflictions. The Australian taskforce had established its base at nearby Nui Dat a few months prior.

The Battle of Long Tan was the single deadliest operation since that point. The Vietnam War claimed the lives of 524 Australians. Around 3,000 Australians were physically wounded, and many more bear the deep psychological scars of service.

Those Australians who served often returned home to a country that didn't always give them the hero's welcome that was given to their predecessors after the world wars. They often struggled with the adjustment to civilian life. Today is a day to reflect and commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who served between 1962 and 1975.

I particularly want to acknowledge the significant work of RSL subbranches, such as the subbranches from Bundeena and Engadine to Ingleburn in my electorate of Hughes, supporting veteran communities by providing assistance, charity, friendship and commemorative services, including the service held in Engadine this morning. Today we honour all veterans who gave their lives or returned home ill or wounded.

Lest we forget.