STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator McDONALD (Queensland—Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate) (13:56): Today, on Vietnam Veterans' Day, we honour 60,000 Australians who served our nation in the Vietnam War. We remember the 524 Australians who gave their lives and the thousands more who came home wounded in body or mind long after the guns fell silent. The Anzac spirit is real.

It is in the poppies of Flanders Fields. It's in the desolate hills of Gallipoli. It's in the snowy mountains of Korea and it's in the jungles of Vietnam.

It's in the mud of New Guinea and the sands of the Middle East. It's in our one Australian flag, and it's in all of us who benefit from the sacrifices of so many. It's in the spirit of standing beside your mates when every instinct tells you to run and of doing your duty whatever the cost.

Today we remember that spirit, which was present at battles like Long Tan, Coral-Balmoral and Binh Ba and in countless other patrols and operations. Many veterans came home carrying wounds, memories and burdens that lasted a lifetime, often to a nation that failed to properly recognise what they had endured. We cannot undo that, but we can ensure that they know today that Australia remembers.

I want to particularly call out Peter, Peter and Ken, friends of mine in North Queensland, who gave their sacrifice in Vietnam. It is extraordinary to discover that Minister Keogh seeks to deny and cap veterans' allied health needs. This will lead to suicides.

This will lead to loss. The least he could do would be to meet with them respectfully, shake their hands and not deny them. We remember our Vietnam veterans' courage.

We honour their mateship. We are proud of their service, and we will never forget their sacrifice. Lest we forget.