Doorstop Interview - East Fremantle, Perth

E&OE TRANSCRIPT 
DOORSTOP
EAST FREMANTLE, PERTH
SATURDAY, 1 MARCH 2025

SUBJECTS: HMAS Perth Memorial Opening.

JOURNALIST: Tell us about the importance of this memorial. 

MATT KEOGH, MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE PERSONNEL: When we say as a nation the words, ‘lest we forget’, they're not some throwaway line. They have a serious consequence. And every day across Australia we remember the lives of those that were given up in service of our nation. Having memorials like the one here for HMAS Perth is an important reminder of the significance of all of those lives that were given, those that were part of the ship's company to support the war effort and that made that ultimate sacrifice for Australia's peace and prosperity. 

JOURNALIST: What are some of the highlights for you from today’s event? 

MINISTER KEOGH: Coming together for the memorial service today involves some great highlights of bringing people who were the relatives and descendants of those who served on HMAS Perth as well as drawing upon the connections in service with the United States, as part of the group of ships that were serving with HMAS Perth when it met its demise. But also being able to speak about the great history of the service of HMAS Perth. Being able to rescue those from the island of Crete for example in the Mediterranean, a place where one of my own relatives gave his life in service during the war. 

END
 

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