STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE

Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (14:00): on indulgence—As we mark Vietnam Veterans' Day, we solemnly remember the 60,000 Australians who went to that war. Sixty years after the Battle of Long Tan, our bloodiest battle of the entire conflict, we honour all who fell and all who came home, including the many who struggled to free themselves of war's long shadow.

As we do, we also acknowledge that it took us too long as a nation to come to terms with a fundamental truth: that we can disagree with the war without it ever diminishing the profound respect we feel for every single Australian who puts on our uniform and serves in our name. Our respect for the valour, camaraderie, integrity and character of our Vietnam War veterans is coupled with our recognition of the burden they have carried, as have so many of their families.

To all who are still with us and in honour of the memories of those who are not, we say what we should have been saying from the very beginning. We honour you. We respect you.

We thank you. Lest we forget.