CANBERRA

Good morning.

I want to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Today, on Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Day, we commemorate all Australians who served in the Malayan Emergency, Thai-Malay border operations, and the Indonesian Confrontation.

Every Australian who served in the First World War deserves to be commemorated in a manner befitting their service.

Yet the remains of many returned First World War veterans lie in unmarked graves, usually because they lacked the family or funds for a funeral.

Seventy-seven community groups, schools, local governments and ex-service organisations around the country will share in some $1.41 million through the latest batch of the 2024-25 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program. 

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
Sky News
Afternoon Agenda 
Friday, 15 August 2025

SUBJECTS: Victory in the Pacific Day, National Defence Strategy, increase in ADF enlistment.

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
ABC Perth
Drive with Gary Adshead
Friday, 15 August 2025

SUBJECTS: Commemoration of Victory in the Pacific Day, Australian global relationships, Second World War veterans.

This Vietnam Veterans’ Day, we honour the 60,000 Australians who served our nation in the Vietnam War, recognising their commitment, service, and sacrifice.

AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL, CANBERRA

I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet.

ANZAC MEMORIAL PARK, TOWNSVILLE

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Today we commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific, the moment the Second World War ended.