ANZAC
DAY – NEW LAWS TO HONOUR THE ANZAC HERITAGE
Speech
extracted from ‘Hansard’
Thursday 31st. October
2002
By Hon. Mark Birrell M.P.
Co-Chair Anzac Day Parliamentary
Review
(Recommendations
for improving State laws and government programs)
In late 2001, at my request, a motion was moved in this place to establish an all-party joint house review of the laws that affect Anzac Day.
This report constitutes the first revision and update of the legislation and programs that impact upon Anzac Day - and it does so in the context of this being Australia's national day of commemoration.
I have pleasure in presenting the report because it is unanimous and reflects the all-party views on how we should strengthen and better protect Anzac Day. We speak on behalf of all Victorians when we say that we want to sustainably reflect in legislation the deep level of support for the day and the unparalleled community interest in the Anzac legacy and the Anzac story.
I congratulate the other committee members who worked on this report, particularly my co-chair, the honourable member for Tullamarine in the other place, the professional consultant who was of such outstanding assistance to the committee, Mr. Mark Brennan, and the assistant executive officer of the committee, Mr. Simon Dinsbergs.
The Anzac spirit is elusive of definition, and perhaps is best described using the words of the great historian Charles Bean from his one volume short history of Australia in World War I, called Anzac to Amiens. C. E. W. Bean said:
But Anzac stood, and still stands,
for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity,
comradeship, and endurance that will never own defeat.
There is no doubt that today's generation of Australians is ready to take over from the sadly dwindling number of diggers who fought for our country and who were the original custodians of Anzac Day. This report has had a catalytic effect in moving the Victorian public service and Victorian authorities to update and consolidate our laws and to bring down a set of laws and plans for government programs that are consistent with the mood of the Victorian and broader Australian communities.
The Anzac spirit that we seek to protect is about love of country, duty,
honour, courage, inventiveness and teamwork.
I was struck by the words of General Cosgrove, whom we interviewed in Canberra, among many others, when he said, 'No-one owns Anzac Day, and that is its great strength'. I agree with that, and I do not believe Parliament should seek to own Anzac Day, nor that any government should seek to do so. Its strength is its breadth of support and the spontaneous emotion it invokes. What is uplifting is that today's generation is attracted to the Anzac story, the Anzac history and the Anzac spirit, as were the original Anzacs.
The recommendations of this report are within that context, and they are unanimous. In particular we recommend that the nine separate laws that currently control Anzac Day should be replaced with a single new act, and that that new act should be the responsibility of the Premier, not the responsibility of the eight different state ministers who currently take charge of Anzac Day laws of one type or another.
We also recommend the updating of the Anzac legislation so that it refers to the service of Australians in all conflicts, including peace-keeping efforts, and does not simply refer to the sacrifice of Australians in World War I, as is the case with the current act.
We recommend the creation of a statutory Anzac Day education and commemoration committee, which would allocate increased funds for activities on the day, for other commemorative purposes and for education. We also recommend that more funding be available overall. Finally, we recommend that Anzac Day between the hours of 5.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. be legally protected as a period of solemn reflection.
I hope that all these recommendations are embraced by whoever governs this state in the future. I believe they already enjoy the support of all political parties. It is time for the next generation to ensure that we never forget.
(Motion moved by Mr. Birrell agreed to)
See the full Parliamentary Report.
THE
ANZACS AND THE SOMME
Article
appearing in the 'Herald Sun'
Wednesday 10th April 2002
By Hon. Mark Birrell M.P.
(An
article on the threat to Australian war graves on the Western Front)
Nothing unites our nation more than the spirit of the Anzacs, so Australians should be outraged by the French Government's threat to desecrate the resting place of many fallen Anzacs and dishonour their memory.
In a controversial move, French authorities are planning to build an airport and industrial estate on the battlefields that contain the graves of thousands of Australian and other Commonwealth soldiers. If allowed to proceed this development will force the wholesale removal of war cemeteries and disturb countless numbers of unmarked graves.
We must never forget that over 44,000 young Australians perished on the Western Front. In terrible circumstances, they died in a fight for freedom. Their courage and sense of purpose, like the efforts of those who had earlier made the ultimate sacrifice in Gallipoli, has helped shaped our national identity.
These great Anzacs rightly enjoy our respect and affection, so it is time for a united public campaign that forces the French Government to abandon its plans. Every effort, from individuals penning letters of complaint to the French Ambassador through to our Government lodging more formal protests, is needed. Now.
Under immediate threat are up to eight Commonwealth cemeteries and over 1,200 graves, many Australian. Of equal concern is that the airport would inevitably be built over the remains of thousands of diggers who were literally buried where they fell. This is hardly a fitting way for French officials to treat the people who helped liberate their country in two world wars.
The Herald Sun newspaper is to be congratulated for highlighting (March 25 and April 8) the irreversible damage that could be caused to a country-side that has until now been "revered and protected as a vast memorial". Anyone who visits the Somme could not fail to be moved. That was certainly the case for me.
Experiencing places like Villers-Bretonneux and Bullecourt exposes you to stories of heroism, endurance and love of country - and to appalling human loss. On Anzac Day last year I had the honour of laying wreaths in memory of Australia's lost sons in each of these French towns, but the most powerful image was at Pozieres. It is here that you see a simple stone memorial recording how "Australian troops fell more thickly on this ridge than on any other battlefield of the war".
For someone like me, too young to experience a World War but lucky enough to enjoy the benefits of the free society others died for, such experiences fuel your pride in the Anzac heritage. And with the Somme now threatened by inappropriate development, it makes you want to do something, however small.
The campaign to protect the graves of fallen soldiers will have many supporters, most significantly the families of our war dead and the groups like the R.S.L. whose care for our veterans dates back decades. Australia's High Commissioner to London is on the case, as is the Veterans Affairs Minister. French citizens will also assist. Already French historians and marvelous local residents who cherish the contribution made by our diggers have voiced their opposition.
So what do we do? To start with, send a protest letter to the French Ambassador, Pierre Viaux, at 6 Perth Avenue, Yarralumla 2600. Then talk to others so they add their voice.
At a time when world peace is on everyone's mind, and when many Australians (including myself) have developed a fresh appreciation of the sacrifices made by an earlier generation, we should seize the opportunity to defend this Anzac memory.