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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (29 March) . . Page.. 1023 ..

substitute "congratulates the members of the Australian Defence Force and AFP for their excellent efforts in East Timor and notes:

These amendments make Mr Berry's motion better. They give the Assembly the opportunity, firstly, to congratulate the members of the Australian Defence Force and our own AFP, who did such a wonderful job in East Timor; and, secondly to note, as a new paragraph (4), that the ACT Government will support all practical aid to re-establish the education infrastructure in East Timor.

As both Mr Berry and Ms Tucker have indicated, all Australians were horrified at the terrible destruction which occurred in East Timor after its citizens had voted so emphatically for independence. The reaction of the militia and the Indonesian military forces to this vote, destroying infrastructure and personal property and killing the as yet uncounted number of civilians, caused outrage. I do not think I have seen such outrage in this country for many years. It not only caused outrage here; it caused outrage internationally.

I am delighted to say - and I think Australia can stand very proud here - that we acted promptly and we acted appropriately. Initially, I must commend the efforts of members of the AFP who were in East Timor before, during and after the vote, who witnessed some horrific actions. They were unarmed. Sixteen or 20 members of the Canberra-based AFP went there, and some of the personal trauma they suffered is incredible. They are worthy of high recognition for their immense courage and bravery in the face of incredible odds. Their actions and their calmness contributed to saving the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of desperate East Timorese. We can recall some of the great acts of bravery these unarmed police performed during those tumultuous few weeks.

Magnificent work was also done by the Australian Defence Force. All arms of the service did a fantastic job under the outstanding leadership of Peter Cosgrove, who had earlier been commanding officer of the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Only last week, two of the excellent members of the Defence Force were awarded some of this country's highest bravery awards for their deeds in East Timor. Sergeant Steve Oddy was awarded the Medal for Gallantry, our third highest bravery award; and Able Seaman Justin Brown received a Commendation for Gallantry for his role in the landing at the Oecussi enclave in East Timor. Other personnel also received recognition for their many and varied roles in this most difficult operation which has brought such credit to our defence forces. I look forward to the members of our AFP getting their just deserts and their due recognition awards as well.

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