Tuesday, 12 November 2024

Members statements

Remembrance Day

John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (13:32): My first matter is that I had the great honour to represent the Minister for Veterans in the other place, Minister Suleyman, at the Remembrance Day service at St James Park on Sunday. I was joined by my colleague and friend Senator Raff Ciccone and community members to pay respect to the thousands who served our country. Almost half a million diggers served in World War I, a remarkable fact considering that our country at the time had a population of less than 5 million – that means one in 10 served. To date it is our deadliest conflict, with 61,519 fatalities. World War I gave birth to a national identity and spirit which lives to this day.