Doorstop Interview - Malaya Emergency 75th Commemorative Service, Canberra

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
Doorstop Interview
Malaya Emergency 75th Commemorative Service, Canberra
Sunday, 31 August 2025

SUBJECTS: Malaya Emergency commemorations; anti-immigration rallies; deal with government of Nauru; Gaza conflict

MATT KEOGH, MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE PERSONNEL: (missed start) … is Malaya and Borneo Veterans Day. And particularly this year, it's the 75th anniversary of Australia's service in the Malayan Emergency, which then turned into conflict on the Thai-Malay border. Over 7,000 Australians participated in the Malayan emergency, and 2000 on the Thai-Malay border, with 39 Australians tragically losing their lives during the Malayan Emergency and a further two on the Thai-Malay border. This is a special day of commemoration to recognise their service and sacrifice. The Malayan Emergency is an oft overlooked conflict. And really it was a war. It was Australia's real first engagement in jungle warfare, since the Second World War, coming to the aid of a near neighbour in the Federation of Malaya, and being there as part of its eventual independence as Malaysia. This was important day to commemorate that service and sacrifice, not only of those who lost their lives, but those who participated and fought in that conflict and those who were injured, wounded, and of course, came back with many scars as well. For myself, particularly poignant. My own great aunt was a Australian Army nurse over in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency. I have the great honour of being able to wear her medals, and we recognise all those who participated in that conflict. The Malayan Emergency was a war against insurgents. It was a war against extremism. And it was about making sure that we continue to live in a region that is peaceful and stable. And is that something that we seek to be a part of delivering, not just then, but today. And it was the beginning of an enduring friendship and partnership with the people of Malaysia, and something that we see strongly today. And of course, Australia continues to have a presence in Malaysia to this day, through that strong partnership.

REPORTER: You mentioned there peace. A short distance from here, later today there'll be anti-immigration rallies being held, not just here in Canberra, but across Australia. What is your message to people attending those rallies?

KEOGH: So, we're standing here today for a commemoration. A commemoration of Australians who went to fight in a war in Malaysia, a war against extremism. As I think people are gathering today for certain marches, we are a country that is about coming together. We are a country that is against extremism. And we are a country that is about being welcoming and respectful of everybody. And that's what we strive to see as a government. It's what we want to see as a country, and that's something that those that are participating in those marches need to reflect on.

REPORTER: And one of their arguments, though, is freedom of speech. They have the right to protest?

KEOGH: No one's saying that people don't have a right to protest or a right to the freedom of speech. That's something that Australian men and women have fought for, and we defend that right. But we also, as a government and as a country, stand for social cohesion. To be a country that is peaceful and a country that is welcoming of people. And that we seek to have that peace continue throughout our country.

REPORTER: Just on another topic, the deal signed between the Australian and Nauru governments to allow the NZYQ cohort to go to Nauru. Why was that deal signed in secret? The media wasn't made aware of it until after the fact.

KEOGH: The deal was signed. It was discussed in the Nauru parliament. The Minister Tony Burke put out a statement about that arrangement and that deal. And that's been all made transparent and public.

REPORTER: But he hasn't spoken publicly. We're having to ask a number of his colleagues, yourself included, for details. It seems a little bit strange.

KEOGH: That's your commentary.

REPORTER: Is it worth the cost? It's nearly $400 million first up and then $70 million per year ongoing. Is that a good use of Australian taxpayer money?

KEOGH: Australia has a long-running and strong engagement with the people and government of Nauru. And this is about ensuring that the government is supported in providing the support that it’ll need to provide to the people that will be moving there.

REPORTER: Is it responsible to send these criminals to a country where their security systems aren't nearly as strong as what we have here.

KEOGH: So, we're talking about a group of people that no longer have a right to be here in Australia. And we are ensuring that the government of Nauru is sufficiently resourced to be able to look after those people on an ongoing basis.

REPORTER: Can I just ask a matter on one other topic? The shadow Attorney General Julian Leeser says the government here has created an atmosphere of delegitimising the Jewish state, that's through UN statements. Is that a fair comment to make?

KEOGH: I don't think those are fair comments. I think what the Australian government has been very clear about is the need to maintain social cohesion here in Australia. And that we continue in our support of a two-state solution in the Middle East. That's very much about maintaining the sovereignty and the existence of the State of Israel. That's always been the Australian government position, and we've always been supportive of that. But we are also supportive of a state of Palestine coming into existence as well, in the right in the right situations.

REPORTER: Sorry, just one more question on Nauru, because we haven't been able to ask the Minister. Are you able to tell us how long the deal has been in works for to get to this point?

KEOGH: I’m not.

END

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