Page 1187 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 24 April 1990
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It also marked, in my view, the beginnings of some respect by Australia for other cultures. I think the remarks that are still made by Gallipoli veterans about the Turkish people indicate that they had some recognition of their nationhood, some recognition of their rights, and a great deal of respect for them as people. It was the beginning, perhaps, of our multiculturalism.
The events of Gallipoli are also significant because Anzac Day actually commemorates a defeat. That is unusual for Australia. I think we are always very quick to celebrate our conquests, whether in sport or in other fields. We are very quick to celebrate our victories but, in fact, we have a great deal to learn from defeat, and those lessons were learnt at Gallipoli.
I believe that the lesson of mateship and of sticking together in adversity was the one that most people would most easily bring to mind but I think the fact that we have learnt from defeat did mark some maturity in our nationhood.
Overwhelmingly, I believe that Anzac Day speaks of the futility and the horror of war. Certainly that is the strongest symbolism of the day for people of my generation. We believe that the message of Anzac Day nowadays is that peace is precious and that it is something we should strive for. We have been lucky throughout the 1980s in seeing some thawing in relations between the East and West and we are happy to recognise that that perhaps reduces the potential for a major world conflict. It is my hope, and I know a lot of people of my generation and younger generations would share the hope, that these moves will see the eradication of the threat of nuclear war and the end of nuclear weapons.
In the 1990s we must also aim to reduce conflict in the Third World. Of course, the principles that we need to act upon in that regard are the right to self-determination - people's right to determine their own future - and the right of justice for all no matter where they are in the world.
To conclude, Mr Speaker, I think that the long-held recognition of Anzac Day does mean different things to all Australians. Of course, for the veterans who are returning to Gallipoli in a historic trip, it has a very particular significance but for all Australians it is a day of significance. For my own part it has got particular personal significance. It is the day on which I was christened and it is the reason I was named Rosemary, for remembrance. So I am happy to join with the Chief Minister in marking Anzac Day 1990.
MR JENSEN, by leave: Mr Speaker, I was proposing to make these short comments this evening in the adjournment debate but I think it is appropriate they be made now in the context of the discussions that have taken place. I rise
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