TV interview on ABC News Breakfast

E&OE transcript
TV interview
ABC News Breakfast

50th anniversary of the end of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War

Nour Haydar: Well, 50 years ago today, Australia’s Governor-General issued a proclamation officially ending Australia’s involvement in the war in Vietnam. More than 60,000 Australians, including ground troops, air force and navy personnel, served in Vietnam – 523 were killed and almost two and a half thousand were wounded.

Michael Rowland: Now, this year commemorations will mark the 50th anniversary. We’re joined now from Perth by the Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh. Minister, good morning.

Matt Keogh: Good morning.

Michael Rowland: So what exactly is planned to mark this big anniversary?

Matt Keogh: So today is the sort of first of the commemorations that are important for the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War; as you mentioned, the proclamation by the Governor-General officially bringing Australia’s involvement to an end, and that comes on the back of commemorations in December when National Service was officially ended by the Whitlam government and the major army units were brought out of Vietnam at that time.

But Australia still remained involved through 1973 in Vietnam. The commemorations will sort of peak, if you like, with Vietnam Veterans' Day in August, and there’ll be a major national commemoration at that time. But this whole year is an opportunity for Australians to reflect on Australia’s involvement in our longest ever conflict during the twentieth century.

You mentioned the 3,000 Australians that were injured and the 523 that lost their lives serving our nation, and they were part of the 60,000 Australians that were involved in the Vietnam War effort from Australia.

Michael Rowland: Minister, it was, to say the very least, a controversial war, and as you’d well know now as the Minister, a lot of the veterans were – they had a horrible time; they were ostracised, stigmatised, many suffering from mental health issues. How big a problem is that still in the Vietnam veterans' community?

Matt Keogh: It’s certainly a large problem still, especially mental health and PTSD. Indeed, it’s really our Vietnam veteran cohort that led us to really understand the impact of war from a mental health point of view and to understand things like PTSD, and Australia has led the way in research and treatment into PTSD and mental health ailments coming from conflict. But that’s not to say there’s not more to do – there absolutely is. And we continue to provide that support to our Vietnam veterans.

But what we have learnt from that cohort has allowed us to be in a much better position to support our contemporary veterans as well, and it was in the '80s that Vietnam veterans led the way to see the establishment of the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service, which is now part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs' Open Arms - Veterans and Family Counselling service. So having that available comes from their experience – a very negative experience for so many at that time, not just those that served but also their families. But the important thing is to reflect on their sacrifice in this 50th anniversary year but also how their sacrifice and commitment to helping each other has put us in a much better position now to help our contemporary veterans as well.

Michael Rowland: As we mark the 50th anniversary, is it your view that it was a war Australia should never have got into in the first place?

Matt Keogh: When it comes to commemorating those that have been involved in Australia’s conflicts, I don’t think it’s useful to reflect upon whether Australia should have been involved or not involved in those conflicts. What’s important is to think about the sacrifice of the individuals and their families from their involvement. In particular, when it came to Vietnam, we had National Service involved at that time. We had conscription, and that certainly led to some massive protests, frankly, across Australia and a lot of negative views from Australians about that conflict.

But what’s important, especially as the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, is to think about how that reflected on those individuals. And there’s an opportunity in this 50th anniversary year – and it’s the Australian government’s intent – to be very clear in communicating to our veterans that their service is respected and honoured and that we thank them for their service and the sacrifice that they made and the sacrifice that their families made by putting on the Australian uniform with the Australian flag and serving their nation and that we thank them for that service.

[End]

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides 24/7 free confidential crisis support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families on 1800 011 046 or the Open Arms website. Safe Zone Support provides anonymous counselling on 1800 142 072. Defence All-Hours Support Line provides support for ADF personnel on 1800 628 036 or the Defence Health Portal. Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608