Vietnam Veterans Day
Natalie SULEYMAN (St Albans – Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Youth) (09:54): I rise today to pay my respects for Vietnam Veterans Day on Friday 18 August. This day marks the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. The battle was fiercely fought, and the Australian 6th Battalion held on for hours until reinforcements arrived. Over time the bravery and courage of the battle has become closely associated with the Vietnam War. I am proud today to be wearing a commemorative badge, with many members of the house, of the Long Tan cross to mark Vietnam Veterans Day. Thank you to Bob Elworthy AM of the Vietnam Veterans Association for providing us the badges. It was great to have met Bob, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove and Kingsley Mundey AM, together with my colleague the member for Bass to discuss the important work that they do for veterans. I look forward to taking part in the Vietnam Veterans Day service at the Shrine of Remembrance tomorrow. I want to take this opportunity to thank all our Vietnam veterans and their families and acknowledge their service and sacrifice for our nation and our state. This day honours their memories, and we will never forget their sacrifice. Our government is committed to supporting our Vietnam veterans, including by recently launching the Veterans Card Victoria. It is a small way of us saying thank you, and I encourage all veterans to sign up to the card. Lest we forget.