HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS
Terendak Cemetery
SPEECH
Monday, 25 May 2015

BY AUTHORITY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, 25 May 2015

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

4261

SPEECH
Date Monday, 25 May 2015
Page 4261
Questioner
Speaker Abbott, Tony, MP

Source House
Proof No
Responder
Question No.

Mr ABBOTT (WarringahPrime Minister) (10:32): On the 100th anniversary of the landing at Anzac Cove,
thousands of Australians made the journey to Gallipoli. The descendants of the fallen, as well as strangers, walked
among the graves, read the epitaphs and touched the walls of granite where the names of the missing are inscribed.
In both world wars and in Korea, our dead lie close to where they fell. As every visitor to our war cemeteries
knows, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission reverently maintains the shrines where they rest. Shortly
after the commencement of our involvement in Vietnam, Australian policy changed. We decided to bring home
the bodies of the fallen. We can never restore those who have died in the service of their country. But we can
and we should offer solace and support to the families left behind.
Fifty years ago this week, the first contingent of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) departed
for South Vietnam. Eventually, almost 60,000 Australians, including Army, Air Force and Navy personnel,
served in Vietnam. Some 521 of them are listed on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial. Of the
521, all but 25 were brought home. Of the 25 not brought home, 24 of them lie at Terendak Cemetery, in Malaysia.
Terendak Cemetery is situated on a peaceful slope, surrounded by trees. The graves are tended with respectand
I thank the Government of Malaysia for the care it has shown over almost half a century. However, the cemetery
is located within a large operational Malaysian military base, and security restrictions understandably limit the
access of families to the graves of their loved ones.
Among those buried in Terendak Cemetery, is Private Ronald Field of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian
Regiment. Private Field, a forward scout, was killed in action on 9 October 1965. Also lying there is Warrant
Officer Max Hanley of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam. He earned the Military Medal in the
Malayan Emergency and was also awarded the US Bronze Star for exceptional heroism while serving as a platoon
leader in Vietnam. Warrant Officer Hanley was killed in action in South Vietnam on 20 February 1967. Also
interred at Terendak, alongside our Vietnam veterans, is Lieutenant David Brian of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal
Australian Regiment. Lieutenant Brian was killed during operations on the Thai-Malaya border on 5 March 1964.
Mrs Dianne Field, the widow of Private Ronald Field; Mrs Marie Hanley, widow of Warrant Officer Max Hanley;
and Mrs Sara Ferguson, the widow of Lieutenant David Brian are with us in the gallery today. You are our
honoured guests. Today we remember the sacrifice of your husbands made in the service of our countryas well
as the burdens that you and your families have carried.
The natural instinct of governments is to resolve problems to the satisfaction of their citizens. We do not want
soldiers killed in the same war treated differently. Hence, the government will offer to repatriate the remains of all
the Australians interred at Terendak Cemetery. This offer will also be extended to the family of Warrant Officer
Kevin Conway, who died in the Vietnam War and is buried in Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore. Because of
the unique circumstances of Terendak Military Cemetery, with its limited access for families, this offer will be
extended to all the families of those interred there, including those of service dependants.
In making this decision, the government has consulted with the RSL, the Vietnam Veterans Association and the
Vietnam Veterans Federation as well as with families. I want to acknowledge the fine work of the Minister for
Veterans' Affairs, Senator Ronaldson, in this matter, and also the advocacy of the member for Solomon.
The decision to take up this offer of repatriation rests, as it should, with the soldiers' widows, children or
immediate family. They can start to bring their loved ones home or they may choose to let them rest where they
lie. Either way, their decision will be respected. I can assure those who choose repatriation that we will bring
our soldiers home with full military honours. They will be reburied in Australia at a cemetery of the family's
choosing. The Commonwealth will bear the full cost of repatriation and reburial.
The former Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, once observed that the Australians who served
in Vietnam laid the foundations for the modern, professional Australian Army. They fought well in a difficult
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and a controversial war, but they are worthy successors to the Anzacs we remembered a month ago. Today's
decision will ensure that all the Australians who died in the Vietnam War receive equal treatment. It is a policy
worthy of a country that honours all who wear our uniform and who serve in our name.
We do remember all who served in the Vietnam War. We especially remember those who were faithful, even
unto death. They did their duty. They remain an example, and their selfless sacrifice will never be forgotten by
the country they served.

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